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A lot of people claim the Jesus story as their narrative of preference. For many, Jesus is the surest way to reside in an afterlife called ‘heaven’ while for others Jesus and his story contain the words of life, peace and justice for the here and now of ‘this’ world.
Regardless of why people follow Jesus, nearly all would admit two things about him: One, he didn’t have a lot of success hanging out with the religious folks of his day and Two, he didn’t spend much time attempting to win these people over, either!
As a matter of fact, in the gospel of John, the enemies of Jesus were most often simply referred to as “the Jews.” This was code speak, not so much to point the finger at a particular ‘race’ of people, as much as a certain ‘type’ of people – i.e., religious people. Those were the people to whom Jesus, the Jew, ministered. It might have been ‘on behalf of’ all humanity, but it was a particular mission to a particular people and therefore, contained a very specific message for their time: Basically, don’t mix religion and empire or some really nasty things are going to come down upon your head.
A lot of what Jesus taught was as popular then as it is now, which is to say ‘not very.’ For instance, when Jesus speaks of loving one’s enemies, that’s usually greeted with polite nods and affirmations but not necessarily always put into practice – especially in the heat of the moment.
Regarding religious people, I must admit that they often bug me as well. I don’t find it admirable when I see them praying in public restaurants, etc. I receive that as a sign of exclusion, not embrace – sort of a ‘look at us, we’re in the Jesus club and you probably aren’t but should be so surely this public prayer will convict you of that or, if it doesn’t, at least you’ll know that we’re more righteous than you.’
Or maybe they accost you with religious language, not realizing that the words they are using are some two-thousand years removed from their original context and therefore basically ‘meaningless’ (e.g, ‘Is Jesus your Lord and Savior?’) I could go on, but you get the point.
For Jesus, the outwardly religious most often constituted his enemies. And yet he said to love them and even pray for them when they persecute you. Why would he say this and even more, how could he do it? I can’t imagine praying for the forgiveness of those who just nailed me to a tree. Honestly, I gag thinking about forgiving people just for wearing their religion on their sleeve!
But that’s what he did.
And things like that are what make his life so fascinating a study.
I think Jesus said and did those things because he knew that our enemies are simply people who do not yet know who they really are. Enemies are people who have yet to discover their true self, their true nature. This is the “for they know not what they do” part of his forgiveness. They aren’t responsible for their insanity toward us, whether that comes in the form of their judgmental arrogance or, at times, their extreme violence toward us.
This is why we are an enemy to no one. We are to understand the truth within, the divine nature in which we now reside. We love the clueless because we once were clueless ourselves – and in some ways, always will be – and it is through our love that the enlightenment often comes.
Love your enemies! For through this, they just might come to see who they really are.
22 comments to “Understanding Enemies”
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Personal responsibility is another issue/blog/post. The examples you site do not make those people our enemies nor exclude the point that “they have yet to discover who they really are.”
For the record, I certainly believe in personal responsibility. But I know I have to be careful to remain in ‘my business’ when discussing it — once I venture into other people’s business or God’s business then there’s nobody home to do my own.
We live in a world of deep hurt, as such people act out in very harmful ways. We have systems and institutions to protect others from such people and culturally, by having such we do in fact deal with the issues of personal responsibility.
In lesser instances where people simply are rude to us or psychologically abusive, boundaries must be set to protect ourselves.
As a person immersed in a gay lifestyle, you know there are places, people and fellowships that will be accepting of you in the name of God — and you also know there are those who won’t.
Best advice is to be wise, be loving, be charitable and tolerant toward others, even when they’re not willing to return the favor.
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Tim,
Thanks for your time and for your response. i agree with you when you said, ‘Best advice is to be wise, be loving, be charitable and tolerant toward others, even when they’re not willing to return the favor.’ BUT, as a human being with flesh, bones and emotions, it is very hard at times!
FYI, i am not ‘a person immersed in a gay lifestyle’. i am a woman who happens to be queer. Being queer is no more a lifestyle than being heterosexual. You being heterosexual is not being immersed in it, is it? OK, wanted to clear that up and inform you so you are aware. Thanks!
Pax,
EP
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The Jews you speak of were enemies to the message and purpose of Jesus even though they were his brothers. In the same sense, Jesus was an enemy to those religious ones, which is why they so violently opposed him and his message.
Today, anytime our message is seen as being opposed to a religious message, we will be seen as an enemy. How we speak and react will determine the outcome of this natural conflict. How well our love for them exudes outward will determine the end result. As long as we are seen as a threat to them, we will be perceived as their enemy, no matter how we feel about them.
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Hi Tim, I kinda had to sniker a bit when I read this: I often wonder what would really happen if somehow Jesus would simply reappear and stand before the religous community and proclaim the same things he did back then? You know things like you brought up: Love your enemy! Love those that hate you! serve the poor! I can see it now! This guy is crazy!. Who does he think he is?. Also today many are really concerned about socialism and so on, I guess it is OK if Jesus comes back and then rules the world from his perch in Jerusalem. But then again if this guy who is telling us to serve the poor and love our enemies then trys to rule the world from Jerusalem! he must be the anti- christ……..Kill him!!
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I’m one of those religious people everybody above seems to hate.
For EP: Nobody’s going to hell for *being gay* or any other sin. They’re going to hell for *rejecting God*, at which point, God gives them what they want. If anything, I’d say you’re not following Christ by judging others- but that would be me not following Christ by judging others.
Bob, not only will you be seen as the enemy- but you’ll be seen as intolerant. I would hope the second causes you more grief than the first.
And finally, Andy, it’s my belief that Jesus *IS REAPPEARING* and saying these things. Maybe not from his perch in Jerusalem- but maybe from his perch in Rome.
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Ted,
i love G-D and do my best, by the grace of Christ, to follow G-D. Yes, i am human and struggle and judge people. By G-D’s forgiveness i ask for it and am forgiven. i think if we are all honest, we all judge others at one time or another. i have not rejected G-D. i have my existential angst moments but i think that questioning, doubt, reflection,et al are all a part of a normal faith journey. If i have everything figured out it wouldn’t be faith in my honest opinion.
Thanks!
Warmest Regards,
EP
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Honest question here…If you saw me bowing my head in a public restaurant, you would judge me to be exclusive? Did I read that right?
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Honest answer: yes. I could fudge this around a bit, put in a nuance on it here or there, but I’d be lying. That is simply the way it hits me when I see it taking place. Is that your problem or anybody else’s who in good conscience prays in public places? Nope. Is it ‘my’ problem — yep. And so it is that just about everyday here in the land of “everybody is a xian,” I have to do some self-work.
My issue, my problem. Heck, if it weren’t, I think that would just about make me perfect as I can’t think of any other struggles I have!
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Thanks for the answer. I guess the best each of us can do is to continue asking ourselves those 4 questions pertaining to our own particular circumstances.
Paige
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Interesting stuff.
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Great thoughts! Sometimes we can’t see how forgiving other people makes sense. As tough as it is, this is simply because we have not really SEEN them yet. To know is to empathize.
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Micah,
Being in out of therapy throughout the years, i have come to see forgiveness more about myself because the other person/one offending/hurting me, may never know i have forgiven them and/or they may not care or change. The power in forgiveness is the ability of G-D to use it to change/transform us individually. The outpouring of that is then seen in how we learn to love ourselves which in turn enables us to love others.
You said, ‘To know is to empathize.’ Can you unpack that some more for me and tell me more of what you mean? Thanks so much!
Warmest Regards,
EP-
EP, I’m just thinking things out here, but I agree that forgiveness is always about ourselves. Forgiveness is in one sense a “tool” in our mental toolbox, one that gives us the ability to live a much better life.
At the same time, there’s a person on the other end of our forgiveness. What makes me different from any other person I encounter? As far as I know, the only things that differentiates us are our experiences and background and the circumstances of our lives. Had I been born into a different situation, I would be a different person.
To me, that realization leads to a great deal of empathy. I am not above the personality problems, the biases, the fears and angers and hates that other people experience. I’ve experienced enough of my own issues to know that I am susceptible to the same things other people are.
So when someone treats me terribly, I can sometimes see well enough to look behind their circumstances and situations, and see myself.
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Micah,
i get what you are saying, i think. Is it that behind much of how people treat others, when hurtful/hateful/etc., that there is something deeper going on then how they are acting? Like they are reacting out of hurt/pain? i know when my level of anger is way more than what the situation warrants, i have to do a check and see where/what i am more deeply angry about. Also, i believe what happens to us is legitimately painful, but how we CHOOSE to react makes all the difference! My hunch on why people bully others is that at a deeper level they are very insecure and/or have deep self-hatred and they bully others to help themselves feel better. Doesn’t negate the pain/destruction they put on others though. It’s tough to have compassion but i know it is important. Who am i as i screw up all the time. i need grace and forgiveness as anyone does. Thanks!
EP
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You got it! When we look at people as evil, all that tells us is we don’t understand their motivations and pain. To understand those things is to see how they are US in a different guise. And to do that is to understand and forgive their actions.
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Great thoughts!
So many people use Jesus’s teachings as an excuse to not follow through. “That would be nice but Jesus was perfect so I don’t actually have live up to his teachings.” Since leaving the blame and condemnation of religion behind, I can see the insanity of holding people responsible for a life they don’t understand. Loving your enemies is not the ultimate goal but a product of being in the presence of the Infinite, I guess it’s nice for other people that I don’t hate them, but my joy and peace have been infinitely strengthened by forgiveness.
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A common exercise in my line of work as I approach the unknown is to “forgive first”. It’s not so much loving my enemy (or maybe it is?), but at least it neutralizes the situation, things don’t escalate, and we can get the job done much more quickly. I will admit, though, that I don’t take on their pain. I can’t– it’s too much. A fine line between sympathy and empathy…The other way around would make me a Drama Queen, and would render me useless.
Alicia
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Interesting thoughts in the replies but to the original post:
Ahhh!
That’s all I’ve been saying!!!
If you are willing to bear His name you should at least be willing to try and understand the context and intent of the original writing. How can you hope to walk closer to your source if you are not willing to learn what the words of “your narrative of choice” really mean; to be more than you are; to risk the painful place of forgiving only to find you needed forgiveness as well; and the even harder place of forgiving yourself? -
“That would be nice but Jesus was perfect so I don’t actually have live up to his teachings.”
Oh my. I have heard this sentiment. Especially in regards to violence, war, prejudice and enemies.
Touché.
It would seem to me that the rejection of the divinity within us (the Kingdom) is the root of much of evil vain imagings. So many Christians have the idea of Christ’s divinity as separate from us. But what if God was one of us? Just a slob like one of us. (Or turn it around) what if we were to realize our own divinity thru Christ?
Scary a thought as that is, it may wake us up to the realization that we are perfectly capable of living up to the teachings of Christ. Heck, I know atheists and other non-Christians that do. It seems like the above idea of “no perfection; no real following” is the Christian revealed as ultimate hypocritical, saying in effect “it’s all bull ’til I get to heaven or Christ reigns the world.”
Oh. Glad to have that cleared up.
Tim,
i really resonate with what you are saying as i have personally been wrestling with this issue of late. Religious people i disagree with much of the time are those who tell me i am apostate, reprobate, an oxymoron, and going to hell because i am queer. As a queer woman who follows Christ, that cannot compute for them. They can be downright nasty and uncharitable and so unlike their Christ they proclaim to follow.
i agree with you when you say, ‘I think Jesus said and did those things because he knew that our enemies are simply people who do not yet know who they really are. Enemies are people who have yet to discover their true self, their true nature.’ but i am not so sure i agree with you when you say, ‘They aren’t responsible for their insanity toward us, whether that comes in the form of their judgmental arrogance or, at times, their extreme violence toward us.’ WHAT about personal responsibility? Are they having momentary lapses of sanity like the women who killed their children by driving their car into water or drowning them in a bathtub? i am unsure what Jesus really meant and if it can be applied in these situations. There has to be a place of personal responsibility in my honest opinion.
What are your thoughts as i do get where you are coming from but am stuck on this personal responsibility and not wanting them to get off scott free. Maybe i am wrong and being too judgmental and unforgiving. i am just so tired of being told i can’r possibly be queer and be a Christian.
Thanks!
Warmest Regards,
EP