​45. Love Them Anyway

Judas ate at the last supper.

Think about that.

Here was a man who Jesus knew was going to betray him, and he shared a meal with him anyway.

Oh, my heart.

I can barely look at my own face sometimes for the evil within it. How can I even look at the person who rubs me the wrong way?

And chances are, they’re not even going to have me crucified.

In our Bible study class, we’re learning about the Restoration Movement, the idea of restoring the church back to its original Biblical foundation. One of the founders of this movement, Alexander Campbell, was Presbyterian and wasn’t too keen on the idea of bringing a special coin that signified he was one of the elect to share at the Lord’s supper on Sundays.

Chances are, Judas definitely wouldn’t have been welcomed.

There’s a point here. Maybe it’s that all are welcomed, even the ones who break our hearts. Maybe we’re not in control of who God calls and maybe that’s okay. More than okay really.

All we can do is this: read God’s Word, love him with every fiber of our being, and in turn, love others well, too. Forgive even when forgiveness saws every single cell in half. Pray when those cells feel like they’ll never be restored. Share who Jesus is in the quiet and chaotic moments of your life.

And when they turn on you, love them anyway.