Love

 Matthew 5:43-44 ESV

 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 


Jesus commands the impossible of us. Our gut reaction is to hate our enemies. Yet elsewhere he even commands us to turn the other cheek.

This might seem like weakness to the world. Yet it requires supernatural strength. Only by the grace of God can we do this.

If a Roman soldier struck a Jew on the cheek and he retaliated, he would be killed. Jesus isn't giving a blanket prohibition on self defence, or defence of family or nation. He's encouraging self preservation in that scenario.

Jesus wasn't a Zealot; he wasn't a freedom fighter seeking to overthrow the Romans oppressors. It's hard to hate someone you're praying for. 'Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they're doing', he cried from the cross.

'Father, forgive our persecutors, and help us to love our enemies, in Christ's powerful name we pray, amen'.


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