Matthew 5:44

A poem inspired by Matthew 5:44 ~ “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”

I think of Jesus, down on His knees,

The feet of His betrayer in His hands.

He’s washing away the dirt and the grime,

Knowing that Judas will betray Him for only a few dimes.

He knows what must happen, His time’s almost up.

Yet Judas is met with nothing but love.

A radical love that does not seem fair.

Why love your enemies when they’ve caused nothing but despair?

But that is the point, it’s a gospel of grace.

It’s not what we earn but rather who saves.

Because if my actions earned, I‘d be lost in the grave,

Yet grace heard my cry and paved my escape.

So who am I to decide who deserves prayer or not?

Loving your enemies does not equal endorse.

But rather what it equates to is humbling yourself

And washing their feet, despite your restraint.

If he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

The truth is uncomfortable but it will set you free.

And if at death’s door Jesus hung on that cross

And prayed for the ones who devised the cruel plot,

Then I too can pray 

‘Father forgive them, they know not what they do’,

For we aren’t to be overcome by evil

But overcome evil with good.