Friend or Foe?

"Halt! Who goes there? Friend or Foe?"
In the 'old days (whenever they were!), these questions would be asked to avoid killing the wrong people. Those asking these questions had to presume that those answering were telling the truth! And that might not be the case.
As Liam Fox has discovered, sometimes those who claim to be friends end up causing costly damage. But this is true in many situations. It is important to discover where the true friends are.
Many aspects of international relations are made much more complicated because politicians are uncertain about the answer to these questions. Is the US or the EU a friend or a foe?
Today, we will all wonder whether Jesus is friend or foe, if we face his call seriously.
Jesus was clear that he came to be friend and helper to those in need. 'When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” (Mark 2.17)
But at the same time, the demand that Jesus made on those of his day meant that some did not see him as a friend. 'As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“There is still one thing you haven’t done,” Jesus told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.' (Mark 10.17, 21b-22)
If the call from Jesus, to follow him with passion and integrity, is costly - and it is - we must always ask whether the call to treat him as foe is not more costly.  May we be found faithful today, however much it costs!
Best wishes,
Richard