Lenten Devotional - Friday, Mar. 12

Day 21 - Friday 

March 12

Read Matthew 5:43-48

43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:43-45

There is much about Jesus' call to discipleship that is revolutionary and even radical; but perhaps the most radical commandment that Jesus gives us is that we are to love our enemies. This sounds like a nice idea, but when we think about it, our enemies are enemies for a good reason. These are people who have treated us badly, have betrayed our trust, perhaps have actively tried to hurt or even destroy us. They might actually be really bad people. This makes loving them a very challenging prospect. But Jesus demonstrates that he means exactly what he says when he loves those who are unjustly accusing him, tormenting him, and even crucifying him. He refuses to condone violence against them, and as he is dying on the cross, he prays for them and asks for God to forgive them. 

While we were still God's enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son. We are now called to love others as Christ has loved us; we are called to love our enemies as Christ loved his.

To Do

Make a list of your enemies - anyone who you harbor bitterness, resentment, or a grudge against. Ask God to help you love and forgive these people. Pray for God to bless them.