He had never understood, or even cared about God . . . until he met HER! Tall and athletic, she captivated him with her smile and joie de vivre. They became best friends in Boot Camp, and remained so throughout their Med Tech training. She told him about God. She took him to church. She prayed with him and read the Bible to him. She married him -- her best friend -- and a year later, they had a son. Then he was issued his Afghanistan deployment date.
A week before departure, he was unable to sleep. Finally, realizing his need of “Someone” to go with him into the danger zone, he cried out to God to reveal Himself. The burden of sin and doubt and fear was lifted . . . He was born again! Within a week, he found himself in a foreign land, amongst the enemy, with a mandate to save lives . . . ANY lives. Three months dealing with the rigours of war went by. And then, he was faced with the ultimate decision. The enemy lay in front of him, his life draining away. With the words “Leave him! Let him go!” echoing in his ears, how should he respond?
Good question. How would you or I respond? How would Jesus respond?
Take a look at Luke 10:25-37 and John 4:1-42. The fact that the Jews and Samaritans hated each other makes these two stories a fascinating study for us.
In the story told by Jesus (Luke 10), the Good Samaritan interrupts his journey to save the life of one (likely NOT from Samaria) who has been beaten by thieves and left to die. Talk about love.
In the other story (John 4), Jesus, on his way back from Judea to Galilee, purposefully takes the “forbidden” route through Samaria, meets the much-profaned and shunned woman at the well, and reveals Himself to her as the Messiah. She in turn, brings her entire village to Him. Talk about love!
Remember the story in Acts 16: 16-40 that's just been archived on this website? Paul and Silas have been tossed in jail on trumped-up charges and beaten black and blue. While they sing and pray at midnight, a huge earthquake blows open all the jail doors. Figuring the prisoners have all bolted, the jailer is ready to take his own life, when Paul says, “Hold on, man. We’re all still here.” In gratitude, the jailer takes them home, listens to the story of Jesus and is baptized, along with his entire household that night! Talk about love.
• Each of these stories deals with loving your enemy
• Each of these stories shares the Gospel of Jesus
• Each of these stories emphasizes His great sacrifice in loving, and sacrificing for those caught and bound in sin by the enemy.
• Each of these stories sets an example for us to follow in missional living amongst those we might consider “our enemies”
In his book Experiencing the Cross Henry Blackaby says:
“The Father waits and all heaven stands silent to see how those who have been redeemed will respond to the request from their Redeemer to take His message to the world. And if we say no, the whole eternal purpose of God for some is never fulfilled. How do you suppose the Father feels about that?” (pg. 167)
How would you and I feel about that?
“I can’t let him go . . . that’s not why I’m here, and that’s not who I am.” With that, the soldier prayed and followed his training to the utmost to save the life of the enemy. The next day, from a safe place, he was able to call his wife and tell her the story. The enemy would live, and would reveal pertinent information. “ Honey," she said, "you need to read Luke 10:25-37 . . . it’s a picture of you.” He did.
Note: This is a true story. Please pray for all our troops who are putting their lives on the line to preserve freedom.
By Linda Ellsworth, director - Camp Norland, Ontario
