“We know what love is because Jesus gave His life for us.
That’s why we must give our lives for each other.”
(1 John 3:16, NEW CENTURY VERSION)
William Gladstone (Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the reign of Queen Victoria), in announcing the death of Princess Alice (Victoria’s second daughter) to the House of Commons, told a touching story. The little son of the Princess was seriously ill with diphtheria. The doctors told the princess not to kiss her little son and endanger her
life by breathing the child’s breath. Once when the child was struggling to breathe, the mother, forgetting herself entirely, took the little one into her arms to keep him from choking to death. Rasping and struggling for his life, the child said, “Momma, kiss me!” Without thinking of herself the mother tenderly kissed her son. She got diphtheria and some days thereafter she went to be forever with the Lord.
Real love forgets self. Real love knows no danger. Real love doesn’t count the cost. The Bible says, “Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it.”
“I’m [Jesus] telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with
the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true
selves, your God-created selves”
(Matthew 5:44. THE MESSAGE)
During the American Revolution, there was a Baptist pastor named Peter Miller, who lived in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, and enjoyed the friendship of George Washington. In Ephrata also lived Michael Widman, an evil-minded sort who did all he could to oppose and
humiliate the pastor. One day Michael Widman was arrested for treason and sentenced to die. Peter Miller travelled seventy miles on foot to Philadelphia to plead for the life of the traitor.
“No, Peter,” General Washington said. “I cannot grant you the life of your friend.”
“My friend!” exclaimed the old preacher. “He’s the bitterest enemy I have.”
“What?” cried Washington. “You’ve walked seventy miles to save the life of an enemy? That puts the matter in different light. I’ll grant your pardon.” Washington granted Widman pardon and, with tears in his eyes, in front of his men, he thanked Peter Miller for the lesson in forgiveness and love. Peter Miller took Michael Widman back home to Ephrata–no longer an enemy but a friend.