“Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided His clothes and cast lots.”
Luke 23:34 HCSB
They’re persecuting Jesus and He’s praying for them. Whew.
One of the amazing things about Christ is how He addressed sin, confronted hypocrites and defended the oppressed but you never see Him going back and forth with anyone or getting pulled out of character.
Jesus didn’t allow hate and opposition to get Him off track or distract Him from His mission on earth. We must carry ourselves the same way.
Fight for justice, advocate for those without a voice, call out hypocrisy and address sin...BUT DON’T get out of character.
We are still called to love and pray for those who persecute us. This isn’t just to transform/soften the hearts of those who hate us, but also to guard our hearts from growing to hate them.
If we become hateful towards those who hate us, we don’t bring about change, we just become like them, and in turn, create more of them. Hate can’t drive out hate.
“Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
⁃ Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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