Loving Your Enemies

“Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”

Jesus washed every set of feet in that room. He washed Peter’s feet. He washed John’s feet. And He washed Judas’ feet.

Jesus knew exactly who Judas was. He knew what Judas would do. He knew betrayal was already forming in his heart. Yet He still knelt before him. Still served him. Still loved him.

This is not just a powerful moment. It is the very foundation of the gospel itself.

Romans 5 tells us that “while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son.” Before we loved God, we opposed Him. Before we served Him, we resisted Him. Before we followed Him, we were His enemies. And yet He loved us. He moved toward us. He laid His life down for us.

The reason Christians love their enemies is because Christ loved His.

This love does not always look the same in every situation, but it always flows from the same heart posture. Sometimes love means serving them, choosing humility and kindness when you have every right to withhold it. Sometimes love means leaving them, creating distance when partnership becomes harmful, but without resentment or bitterness. Sometimes love means establishing boundaries, protecting yourself from those who are unsafe, while still entrusting justice to God.

In every case, love refuses revenge. Love refuses hatred. Love refuses to let someone else’s sin turn your heart cold.

Jesus shows us that loving your enemies is not weakness. It is Christlikeness. It is the imitation of the One who loved you when you were far from Him.

The gospel did not begin when you became God’s friend. It began when you were His enemy and He chose to love you anyway.