The Great Enemy Lover

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34

Forgiving our enemies and overcoming them with love seems just about impossible. And then we look at Jesus, hanging on a cross and forgiving those who put him there.

Today there is nothing else to do in our devotions than to meditate on Jesus as the great lover of enemies. Take his words of forgiveness and turn them over in your mind. Whisper them. Be silent with them and let them sink into you. Visualize him saying them. Experience them for yourself. Daydream about being able to say them yourself.

Sometimes a visual helps to stir in us a new perspective. Here’s a piece by Kazuya Akimoto that helps reorient the cross and to envision the impact from a new angle.