Last week, Sightings ran an incredible column called "Shock and Agape" about several Australian churches that have been hanging banners up that proclaim "Jesus Loves Osama". Yes, you read that right: "Jesus Love Osama". The rest of the text says, "Jesus said: 'Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.'"
As you might imagine, these signs have been receiving a lot of criticism. Some see them as misleading, as if to suggest that Jesus supports terrorism--which is definitely not the intent of the message. Others find it offensive to the victims of terrorist attacks.
What do you think about this?
Personally, I think these signs are great. Just a few weeks ago at our Elevation Winter Retreat, we talked about Jesus' teaching to love our enemies. This is no doubt one of the most difficult teachings of our faith, but if we are to take Jesus seriously, it is one of the most important for Christians to follow.
It's not easy to love our enemies. We all know that. We've all had people in our lives that treat us poorly, pick on us, do things to us that are horrible. It's tough to love people like that.
But in a world where violence creates more violence, what would it look like if we returned hatred with love?
A month ago, I posted about two young people that lived out this message in their own lives. If you didn't read it before, read it now.
These are difficult and challenging times. I believe with all my heart that Jesus' message of love and non-violent resistance offers us a lot of hope. May God help us to live that message out in our own lives as well.
As you might imagine, these signs have been receiving a lot of criticism. Some see them as misleading, as if to suggest that Jesus supports terrorism--which is definitely not the intent of the message. Others find it offensive to the victims of terrorist attacks.
What do you think about this?
Personally, I think these signs are great. Just a few weeks ago at our Elevation Winter Retreat, we talked about Jesus' teaching to love our enemies. This is no doubt one of the most difficult teachings of our faith, but if we are to take Jesus seriously, it is one of the most important for Christians to follow.
It's not easy to love our enemies. We all know that. We've all had people in our lives that treat us poorly, pick on us, do things to us that are horrible. It's tough to love people like that.
But in a world where violence creates more violence, what would it look like if we returned hatred with love?
A month ago, I posted about two young people that lived out this message in their own lives. If you didn't read it before, read it now.
These are difficult and challenging times. I believe with all my heart that Jesus' message of love and non-violent resistance offers us a lot of hope. May God help us to live that message out in our own lives as well.
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