Wednesdays in the Word

Standing with the enemy:

Here are Bonhoeffer's thoughts on Matthew 5: 44-45 which are awesome!

"Through the medium of prayer we go to our enemies, stand by their side, and plead for them to God. Jesus did not promise that when we bless our enemies and do good to them they will not despitefully use and persecute us. They certainly will. But not even that can hurt or overcome us, so long as we pray for them.  For if we pray for them, we are taking their distress and poverty, upon ourselves, and pleading to God for them. We are doing vicariously for them  what they cannot do for themselves. Every insult they utter only serves to bind us more closely to God and them. Their persecution of us only serves to bring them nearer to reconciliation with God and to further the triumphs of love." ~Dietrich Bonhoeffer

May we all live in such as way as to 'further the triumphs of love,'

"But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you." Mt. 5:44

Blessings,
~Becky