But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:44-45a

Thin as paper, fragile as Kleenex tissue — that’s my “mature” man’s skin. But the Christian’s spiritual, emotional, and psychological “skin” is toughened by Good Friday’s nails. Our Jesus is bloodied for all, by scourging, a thorny crown, and piercing nails. Victorious Jesus is raised for everybody on the third day. Holy Week is not a case of thin skin or “skin,” but rather a resolute, loving forgiveness for a world of enemies and very few friends.

Who can love like this? Only the Son who is perfectly confident of His love and heaven itself. Only Jesus! We are people of the cross, of the tomb, of the resurrection, and of the future. Our “skin” will be injured by enemies and friends, alike. We are to be confident of Jesus’ love and heaven itself. Yes, forgive even “seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:22).

Harry Edenfield
Brownstown, MI

Holy Spirit, strengthen me to forgive even enemies. Amen.

Reflect: Use a 12-step approach: Enemy, love, forgive. Enemy, love, forgive. Friend, love, forgive. All, love, forgive.

Read: Mark 15:16-20 and Luke 23:32-43