Here Comes My Old Friend
When Jesus called Judas, He understood exactly what he was. When He entrusted him with their money, He knew he was a traitor. So why call him? Because the purposes of God in your life require certain relationships. How do you learn perseverance? Through problems! Or forgiveness? Through betrayal!
As Mary worshipped Jesus, anointing him with costly ointment, Judas, under the guise of caring for the poor, revealed his real motive – greed. Now, there’s nothing new about the fact that some people you’d sacrifice your all for, will be the first to betray you. God will allow people into your life who look good, but as you spend time with Him, He’ll reveal to you their true motives, so you don’t get side-tracked.
But why did Jesus call Judas, “Friend?” Because, from God’s perspective, those who shield you from life, do you no favors. Whereas, those who cause enough pain to make you turn to Him, help you toward your destiny.
Show me a successful Joseph and somewhere in his past I’ll show you: (1) A “friend” who lied about him, (2) a “friend” who threw him into a pit, (3) a “friend” who forgot him when he needed them most. Yet without them, Joseph wouldn’t have reached the throne.
Grasp this principle and it’ll change your life! Having a Judas means you’ve got a cross, and having a cross means you’ve got a resurrection! Now when you see Judas coming, you’ll be able to say, “Here comes my old friend!”
Source: http://www.bobgass.com/todaysword.php