"...love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Matthew 5:44
The 2010 Super Bowl will always have a special place in my memory. Not only did my beloved New Orleans Saints finally make it to the big game; but they played it in a most unforgettable way. Down only a few points at the half; they decided on a dazzling start that was sure to throw their opponent off balance. Never in Super Bowl history, had a team started the second half with an onside kick; a maneuver usually used late in a game to come from behind when there’s not enough time on the clock to do it otherwise. The coach was called; gutsy, brilliant, bold, creative etc…whatever you call it, they really caught their opponent off guard.
Whether in sports, on the battlefield or fighting the battles in your life, the element of surprise is an effective weapon in being reconciled to your enemy. When we follow Jesus’ command to “love our enemies,” we catch our enemy off guard and the result can be tremendous.
In the Bible, King Saul was jealous of David who had killed Goliath and went on to become a national hero. David’s popularity rose to that above the king’s, and Saul listened to the wrong people. So Saul sought to kill him and put David on the run.
One day, while laying low in a cave with his entourage, David had a perfect opportunity to kill his enemy who entered the cave and was unaware of their presence. Against the advice of his men, David chose instead to show love for his enemy by only cutting the corner of Saul’s robe off. Then, he followed Saul out of the cave to confront him with proof that he was no threat to Saul.
The king was convinced by David’s actions. He was immediately filled with conviction for his sin, confessed, repented and the two lived at peace with one another after that. David did the hard thing, obeyed God, when against conventional wisdom, and won over his enemy with the element of surprise; love.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment