MLK

One of Dr.  King’s favorite Bible passage is from the Gospel of Mathew 5:43-48. 

Jesus said that anyone can love those who love them in return. What distinguishes people of God is the way we treat those who oppose us—our enemies. Just as God shows love to everyone, so are we to show love to everyone. This inclusivity is the meaning of “be perfect” as God is perfect.

What a fitting scripture for the day we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The key to the life of Martin Luther King is found in his Christian faith.

He responded to violence with nonviolence, to hate with love. Dr. King was always looking toward reconciliation after the battle because his approach was grounded in the Gospel. 

He wrote, “It was the Sermon on the Mount, not a doctrine of passive resistance, it was Jesus of Nazareth with the creative weapon of love.”

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. recognized that the heart of the gospel proclaims that love can really change a situation of conflict and enmity: love reaching out toward the oppressor, love pushing negotiation, love offering forgiveness and newness. It wasn’t that he lacked an appreciation for the persistence and power of evil. It was rather his evangelist’s faith. He really believed that the intolerant and prejudiced sheriffs and politicians were sheep who had strayed from the fold, who had the potential to be converted. However powerful evil is, love is more powerful still. “Remember him,” said Coretta Scott King, “as a man who refused to lose faith in the ultimate redemption of [humanity].”

Let Us Pray - 

Thank you, God, for the witness of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  Guide me as Christ’s follower to love as you love—everyone without exception. I lift up my enemies to you and pray for their well-being. 

In Jesus' name we pray 

Amen.Amen.Amen.

Thanks to Br. Rick Anderson for sharing this meditation with us. 

#ForHisGlory

Matthew 5:43-48

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.“

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