Friends and Enemies

A frustrated Sara talks with Rivka about her hatred for the thieves who hurt Ayoub and stole half their flock. Rivka encourages her to forgive them. Mariam admits she hates the Romans. Rivka points out that Jesus said to love our enemies. She says forgiveness isn't a common thing in the world. And that Jesus forgave us, even while He was still on the cross. God sets the example for us. While we were still His enemies, He did the most loving thing He could do: He sent Jesus to die for us so we could be reconciled with Him. Jesus also prays for and forgives everyone around Him as He hangs on the cross: "Father, forgive them. They don't know what they're doing" (Luke 23:34). There are many people in life we won't be friends with. Jesus actually promised us that as His followers, we would definitely have enemies. But like God the Father and like Jesus, we should remember to pray for them. We should forgive them because we know what real forgiveness is, thanks to God. And like everything else, we can't do any of that in our own power. We must be filled with the Spirit.