"Jesus: My most beloved veteran"
Saul has killed his thousands and David his tens of thousands but Jesus is my most beloved veteran. He did not kill anyone, not even in self defense. He did not even own a sword. He calls all who would follow him into the new covenant. It is a new covenant between God and his people. In that call he teaches his disciples not to harm their enemies. Most disciples of Jesus today are like those first ones we read about in the scriptures...of small loyalty (*little faith). But even though we are weak, we cannot deny him. And because we cannot deny him, we cannot deny his teaching.
But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. (40) And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. (41) And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. (42) Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. (43) "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' (44) But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (45) so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.Matthew 5:39-45
I have many relatives and friends who are veterans, and I love them but Jesus is my most beloved veteran, most worthy of my unbending loyalty. You see, in his fidelity to God, Jesus is the new warrior and veteran that the people of God needed and still need today. He does not seem to have owned a sword and he did not condone the use of physical weapons by his followers. Yet, he does have the effective spiritual sword. That sword figuratively comes out of his mouth and slays all of his enemies. His weapon is the word of God. Jesus is the warrior-king who is leading the people of God to victory. If you would enter that true victory you can only do so through loyalty to him. Saul has killed his thousands and David his tens of thousands but Jesus Christ is my most beloved veteran who is vigilant to this hour slaying the enemies of God and of God's people.
But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. (40) And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. (41) And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. (42) Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. (43) "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' (44) But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (45) so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.Matthew 5:39-45
I have many relatives and friends who are veterans, and I love them but Jesus is my most beloved veteran, most worthy of my unbending loyalty. You see, in his fidelity to God, Jesus is the new warrior and veteran that the people of God needed and still need today. He does not seem to have owned a sword and he did not condone the use of physical weapons by his followers. Yet, he does have the effective spiritual sword. That sword figuratively comes out of his mouth and slays all of his enemies. His weapon is the word of God. Jesus is the warrior-king who is leading the people of God to victory. If you would enter that true victory you can only do so through loyalty to him. Saul has killed his thousands and David his tens of thousands but Jesus Christ is my most beloved veteran who is vigilant to this hour slaying the enemies of God and of God's people.
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