The “Friends” of Jesus #3

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

“And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself” (Mark 3:21 KJV).

With “friends” such as these, did Jesus need enemies? (NO!)

Unless they have eyes of faith, people are totally incapable of seeing spiritual truths. They cannot judge our study and teaching/preaching of the Bible as anything more than “a waste of time.” Much like Paul’s critics at Corinth dismissed him, they assume we are mentally ill! “For whether we be beside ourselves [crazy!], it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause” (2 Corinthians 5:13). Whatever they would label us, we know “it is to God” (our service is to please Him, not them, so we let Him critique it). Listening to Paul give his testimony (Acts 26:1-23), irritated Judaean Governor Porcius Festus loudly interjected in verse 24, “Paul, thou art beside thyself [insane!]; much learning doth make thee mad [lunatic]!”

I once had certain longtime “friends” in ministry—until I refused to stand with them after they departed from grace truth. They had the audacity to call me “self-righteous,” “know-it-all,” “full of myself,” and one controlled by “hubris” (excessive pride). Other abusive language was used against me. Vicious lies were told about me. Though I forgive them as God forgave me for Christ’s sake, it is far better that we have no contact with each other. They and their nonsense pose threats to my spiritual health and the spiritual health of those to whom I minister. With “friends” such as these, no one needs enemies.

The Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:10-12, references similar slandering of saints: “Blessed [Happy] are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile [insult] you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Just a few years later, Christ Himself was tried and convicted in a corrupt court of law and finally crucified as a common criminal—the culmination of all the evil words they unjustly spoke against Him….