Got any Enemies?

The Wednesday before Easter has an uncertainty of what Jesus did that day. Some believe the preparations for Passover happened on this day as a special Passover and Sabbath.  Others feel this is the day Jesus was anointed with expensive perfume.  Judas Iscariot challenges the action as an extravagant waste of product that could have been sold and the money given to the poor. But he had already been stealing from money that he was responsible for as treasurer of Jesus' disciples and he would have had more to take if the perfume was sold. Wednesday may have been the day Judas agrees to betray Jesus.

Have you ever been betrayed by a friend you trusted?

You thought there was a sound relationship, but there was gossip or accusation or a change of allegiance against you.

It is remarkable that Jesus is aware of Judas’ heart change and yet, Jesus does not flip out on Judas. Judas is included in the Last Supper and appears so trustworthy the other disciples do not consider him as a possible betrayer even when Jesus gives them some pretty big clues that it is Judas.

Jesus gives an example for us to follow and He commands us to love our enemies.

Got any enemies that need some lovin’ ?

Jesus gives us some enemy loving orders found in Matthew 5 and Luke 6:

•  Pray for them.
• Do good things to them.
• Bless them.
• Turn the other cheek.
• Do not stop them from taking advantage of you.
• Do to others what you wish done to you.
• Borrow money to them without expecting repayment.
• Be merciful to them.
• Love them.
  

Easter would be much easier without this list. I can pray, bless and believe I am loving my enemies. Truthfully, I am not loving my enemies because I do not want to do the things that cost me something.
And that is the point.
Jesus love cost Him a beating that shredded his flesh, nails through his hands and feet, and an agonizing death on the cross.

Truthfully, I still do not want to sacrifice anything for an enemy.
I have found that the only way this gets done in my life is when I call for the Holy Spirit to help me.

Got any enemies that need some lovin’ this Easter?

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