No Enemies?

As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them. Then he and his disciples went to another village. - Luke 9:51-56

What if part of the good news of the gospel was that we don’t have to have enemies? Jesus modeled a radically enemy-free existence. Sure, many people treated him as an enemy (you see some of that even in this text when the Samaritans don’t want him in their town). But he never once treated anyone that way.

Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.

-Martin Luther King, Jr.

In our divided world, politicized world, conflictual world - what difference would it make for you if you literally had no enemies? If there were no hate inside you (not even for yourself!)?

Or maybe you connect more with James and John in this passage - ready to blast some enemies. That’s okay if you relate to them - Jesus has a lot of experience working with those of us who are good at making enemies or hating enemies.

Take some time to ponder these things. Ask Jesus to show you what it might look like to become more like him in the area of loving enemies.