'Writer Morris Mandel tells about the little girl showing off her collection of dolls. Although she had many beautiful dolls, her favorite was the oldest one--torn, tattered, and limp. A friend asked why she loved that particular doll so much. The little girl replied, "I love her most because if I didn't love her, no one else would."
In the ugliness of the cross, we find little to love about the people who killed the Savior. Yet, in the final prayer from the lips of our Lord (Luke 23:34-38), He asked God to forgive those who were squeezing the very life out of Him. Such love from our Christ is staggering.
It is easy to love those we like and those who are warm toward us. However, the real test of our Christ-likeness is if we can truly love and pray for our enemies. Jesus taught that we must learn this lesson: Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you (Matthew 5:44 NLT: But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!). In their ugliness to us, our enemies often make themselves so obnoxious that no one else can possibly love them. May we, like the little girl with her doll, say, "I love them the most because if I didn't, no one else would." Such love can be learned as we spend more and more time with our Lord. He taught us and then showed us how to love and pray.
Luke 23:34 NLT
On revenge, when Jesus quoted from this passage he said, ‘You have heard that it was said, “Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.” [Deuteronomy 19:21]. But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other cheek also’ (Matthew 5:38–39).
Lord, thank you that you are a God of justice and truth. Thank you that you reveal yourself to me as I study your word and spend time in your presence.
1. Lord, Your Word is so heavy and strong that it touches the stubborn heart. Thank You for Your Word. Help me apply this to my life. Amen.
2. Thank You for that dream of victory, O, Lord. The devil is definitely defeated!
3. Praise God for differences in culture, they provide wonderful explorations and a lot of learning.
