Jesus Christ lived in the midst of his enemies. At the end, all his disciples deserted him. On the Cross he was utterly alone, surrounded by evildoers and mockers. For this cause he had come, to bring peace to the enemies of God. So the Christian, too, belongs not in the seclusion of a cloistered life but in the thick of foes. There is his commission, his work. The kingdom is to be in the midst of your enemies. And he who will not suffer this does not want to be of the Kingdom of Christ; he wants to be among friends, to sit among roses and lilies, not with the bad people but the devout people. 'O you blasphemers and betrayers of Christ! If Christ had done what you are doing who would ever have been spared' (Luther).
[Dietrich Bonhoeffer]
Matthew 5:44 … But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Romans 5:6 … For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
Luke 9:23 … And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.❤
