Even So

November 21st, 2024

Matthew 26:17-30

Stefanie works with young elementary students as a school counselor. She loves this work because she gets to bring the light of Jesus with her.

She’s also learned a lot about some very basic realities of human relationships. Despite their young age, students can sniff out cracks in the armor of others, and detect weaknesses in relationships. Friendships can be vibrant. Enemies can be cruel.

Humans can be very harsh in their treatment of “enemies.” Those who seek to do us harm are not trusted, included, or loved. We put distance between them and us. We turn our backs on them, excluding them. These are the rules of the school playground, and the world.

Thank goodness, Christ does not play by these rules! Even as He sat at the Last Supper, preparing for His death, the very fellow who would later betray Him sat at dinner with Him, yet Christ did not ostracize. Christ ate with those who would do Him harm. His love is beyond any rules of engagement we might try to live by.

This day, choose love.

Author: Stefanie Hendrickson