Celebrating Mercy, Justice, and Peace: Three Reflections in Honor of Martin Luther King Jr. DaySample

Loving Them to Death

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. -Matthew 5:44

Montgomery was hard, but Birmingham was worse.

In addition to legal and institutional discrimination, civil rights activists now stared down snarling dogs. Firehoses blasted them into brick and pavement. Dynamite ravaged their homes and churches.

Their enemies—and the dangers they posed—were enough to try even the strongest in the movement.

It may seem natural in these moments to meet hate with hate. After all, doesn’t victory go to the strong?

Yet Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and those marchers did something supernatural. They met hate with love. King recognized that God reigns supreme. Therefore, these marchers would follow their God, and “be perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) How?

King found his answer in the cross of Jesus Christ. Jesus did not slay His enemies, but rather was slain for them. He didn’t kill, but instead was killed. Jesus met His enemies with love.

Whether we face threats or not, we all have people we perceive as enemies. In our anger or fear, we may be tempted to see people who don’t think, look, or vote like us as threats.

Before we get swept away by those powerful emotions, remember that Christ did not win with a sword but by His love. The kingdom does not triumph through shows of force but through a loving Savior who died for us.

Therefore, as His children, we love our enemies as Christ loved us, in hopes that God may win them too.

Tom Breeden

Who do you perceive as an enemy or a threat to you? Why do you think of them that way? What can you do to love those enemies as Christ has loved you?

Heavenly Father, when I am angry or fearful and tempted to hate, help me to remember Your love. Holy Spirit, help me to show that love even to my enemies. May I bear witness to Your life in me. Amen.