It seems to be the goal of some people to get even. “You did wrong to me, so I’ll do wrong to you.” Perhaps it even goes a step further and the goal is no longer to get even but to one up the other person. “You made me look bad in front of a peer, so I’ll make you look bad in front of our boss.” Enemies are to be demeaned and defeated.
Now, let’s contrast that notion with what we see in John 13…
Now when it was time for supper, the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son, to betray Him. Jesus knew that the Father had given everything into His hands, that He had come from God, and that He was going back to God. So He got up from supper, laid aside His outer clothing, took a towel, and tied it around Himself. Next, he poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel tied around Him. (v. 2-5)
When I write these blog posts, I try not to spend a lot of time talking about what the Bible does not say as I find what it does say to be much more powerful. However, in this instance, I think it is worth noting what this passage does not say. Verse 5 does not read that Jesus “…began to wash His disciples’ feet…except for Judas for Judas was about to betray Him.” We can see from the rest of the context in John 13 that Jesus knew Judas would betray Him (see v. 21-28). Judas would be the one to lead a band of soldiers to arrest Jesus (John 18:2-3). And, yet, He washed Judas’ feet just as He did all of the other disciples present. He didn’t differentiate Judas as His enemy.
Is this the approach we take? Do we follow the instructions we see in the Bible…
- You have heard it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven… (Matthew 5:43-45a)
- But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what is good to those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. (Luke 6:27-28)
- If you enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you. (Proverbs 25:21-22)
This isn’t easy. When someone wrongs us or those we love, it can be difficult to behave as Jesus did with Judas. Yet, it is part of our role to be peacemakers so that the world will see we are children of God (Matthew 5:9).
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