By any definition of the word, this man would be perceived as an enemy. My natural inclination is to hate my enemy, to judge my enemy, to convert my enemy, to run from my enemy . . .
Jesus doesn’t just tell us to love our enemies. He demonstrates this teaching with powerful integrity. He honors the Roman Centurions faith before the crowd of Jews who would have been around him, and he serves this man by doing what the man asks. He embodies his teaching on enemy love.
“You have heard it said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matt 5:43-45).
I’m struck by several things in the story.
First, I’m struck by Jesus courage. It takes courage to calmly stand and engage someone who represents terrorism to you. It also takes courage to honor and serve that terrorist in the face of the criticism he would obviously get from those around him – the Pharisees and perhaps his own disciples – who don’t embrace the “love your enemy” way of life.
Second, I’m struck by Jesus presence in the moment. The man made a request and Jesus commented on and responded to the request. He didn’t condemn him. He didn’t run from him. He didn’t attempt to teach or convert him. He didn’t shame him or judge him. He was simply present, responding to the man in front of him.
Third, I’m struck again – and again and again – by Jesus integrity. I believe that Jesus primary message was that we are to love God, neighbor, self, stranger, and enemy by laying down our lives (cf, Luke 9:23, John 15:13). He was not some ivory towered professor with some working theory of how to get the good life. He was a boots-on-the-ground leader, laying down his life over and over again – most fully and powerfully on the cross as he cries out, “Father forgive them . . . ” (Luke 23:34)
Fourth, I’m struck by what a violent culture and often Christian sub-culture that has shaped me. I don’t have the courage Jesus had – yet. I don’t have the presence that Jesus had – yet. I don’t have the integrity that Jesus displayed – yet. But I declare those things as core, guiding values and like a little acorn that is destined to become a mighty oak, I am living into these values daily.