Finished off their enemies

Esther 9:5 So the Jews finished off all their enemies with the sword, slaughtering them right and left, and did as they pleased to those who hated them.

Revenge. It's a common human response to hatred, injustice and violence, even in this case where the violence was not actually carried out. A preemptive strike: the best defense being a good offense. It's only common sense; if you get them first, then you'll be safer, right? Here's the problem: it's impossible to slaughter everyone who is an enemy, or might become an enemy, or who knows or cares about someone who's an enemy. Where do you draw the line? Wherever you draw it, you will probably exclude some who are potentially dangerous, and include those who are not, thereby perpetrating more injustice. And then your enemies feel entirely justified in slaughtering you the first chance they get. And the hatred and enmity which exists between you gets magnified with each new event, until continual slaughter is the result. An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth results in a country of the blind and toothless.

The interesting thing about this eye for an eye idea is that it was originally intended as a restraint on revengeful slaughter, meant as a mercy. It meant that if someone killed a family member, you were constrained from slaughtering his whole family; all you were allowed was to kill the person who had killed. This idea of mercy is firmly embedded in the Hebrew scriptures, juxtaposed against episodes like this one. Jesus takes it one step further. Not only does he say don't hate your enemies, but he says love them. (Incidentally, I believe one of the psalms says the same thing, and adds "it'll pour hot coals upon his head", meaning, I think, that he'll be shamed and humiliated by your mercy. I'm not sure that's exactly the point Jesus is trying to make). This is a radical concept, and the only way to break the cycle of violence in our world. I remember a story about Desmond Tutu, who was at dinner in conversation about the evils of apartheid, long before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. After dinner, he went to his room for several hours, and when the host inquired, Tutu said that he had felt the hatred and anger burning in his heart, so he went to pray until he was free of it again. I also think of the Amish whose children were slaughtered by a madman. They insisted on sharing money that was sent them with the family of the murderer, whom they saw equally as victims, and refused to view him with hatred, choosing instead compassion and pity.

This is the radical nature of the walk Jesus calls us to. To love those who harm us and those we love. To return compassion for hatred. Here's another story about the transforming power of this kind of radical love that I heard on the radio. A rabbi moved into a new town which had an active white supremacist movement. One of the members of this group began calling the rabbi's house and leaving vicious, hate-filled messages on his answering machine. Asking around about the man, the rabbi found out that he lived alone, had no support system, and was very ill. The next time the man called, the rabbi picked up the phone and offered to bring him some groceries. It took time and persistence, but eventually the rabbi actually took this man into his home and cared for him. Now the man was traveling the country, talking to these hate groups and others about how his heart had been changed by this expression of love. It's pretty simple: love your enemies. But anyone who thinks it is easy probably hasn't tried it.

Prayer: Dear God, This kind of radical love is not easy to grow, but it is my longing to be filled with Your heart of compassion. Teach me to love those right near by that may frustrate, annoy or even injure me, that through my actions they may know Your all consuming love. Amen.