Love your enemies, Jesus did!
“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.”
Proverbs 25:21-22 HCSB
I have been told if God repeats himself we ought to pay attention. So any time the Old Testament is quoted in the New Testament is a time to reflect on what God is saying.
How many of us have enemies? Being followers of Christ we should! For as the world hated Him so too it should hate us. But also at the same time, we are to live at peace with the world while looking like Jesus. Jesus was a man of peace, love, and rebuke. He loved the people and commanded them to leave their sins. We too have the same responsibility. But what about those who absolutely despise us? We are called to love them so much that when they come to their senses they will see the Love of Jesus through us. Look how Jesus treated His accusers before the Sanhedrin.
“Then the high priest stood up before them all and questioned Jesus, “Don’t You have an answer to what these men are testifying against You? ” But He kept silent and did not answer anything. Again the high priest questioned Him, “Are You the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One? ”
Mark 14:60-61 HCSB
And before Pilot.
“Then the high priest stood up before them all and questioned Jesus, “Don’t You have an answer to what these men are testifying against You? ” But He kept silent and did not answer anything. Again the high priest questioned Him, “Are You the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One? ”
Mark 14:60-61 HCSB
Some would claim that Pilot believed Jesus to be innocent and even believed Jesus to be the Messiah.
“From that moment Pilate made every effort to release Him. But the Jews shouted, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Anyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar! ”
Jesus never acted out in revenge but rather only in zeal not at his trial but in the sanctuary.
“Jesus went into the temple complex and drove out all those buying and selling in the temple. He overturned the money changers’ tables and the chairs of those selling doves. And He said to them, “It is written, My house will be called a house of prayer. But you are making it a den of thieves!”
Matthew 21:12-13 HCSB
Will we follow His lead to love our enemies, and pray for those who mistreat us?
“Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided His clothes and cast lots.”
“You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”
Matthew 5:43-44 HCSB
“But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”
Comments
Post a Comment