43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor
and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those
who persecute you.
Patrick Greene is an atheist.
Patrick Greene is the kind of atheist who believes in
taking a stand when something rankles him. The fact that Henderson County,
Texas, a place five hours north of his San Antonio home, put a nativity set on
a courthouse square rankled Patrick Greene a lot.
Believing a religious Christmas symbol didn't belong on
government property, Greene went to Henderson County, promised to lead a rally,
and file a lawsuit if things didn't change.
Well, things changed.
Mr. Greene backed out of his threats when he found he had
a detached retina and was going blind. He had to quit his job as a taxi driver
and had to figure out how to make ends meet. Making ends meet was especially
troublesome since he had no health insurance, and his disability hadn't come
through.
The news about Mr. Greene made Jessica Crye, a member of
San Springs Baptist Church, give thanks to the Lord. No, she wasn't thanking
God the threatened lawsuit had been dropped. She was thanking God the Christian
community had been given a chance to show the kind of stuff the Savior's people
do.
She, with her church, organized a fundraiser. Hundreds of
dollars were sent to Patrick Greene. It was enough to put food on his table
'til assistance arrives. Other Christians offered to pay for his surgery, a
gift Greene declined since the success of the surgery was not a guaranteed
proposition.
As Pastor Erick Graham said, "We don't discriminate
on who we help, whether they are Christians or non-Christians, church members
or not, we just help those with a need."
I think those gifts and donations must have made the
Savior smile. Somebody understood what He meant when He said we should
"love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us." Indeed, Jesus
did more than say those words: He lived those words.
He was born into a world that didn't want Him; He was
misunderstood and hated by those whom He had come to save. He was deserted by
His church, let down by His government, betrayed by a disciple, and deserted by
His friends. Yet, never was there a time when Jesus didn't love His enemies or
pray for those who persecuted Him.
This is why we, who are the beneficiaries of His life,
love and sacrifice, should do the best we can to reflect His Spirit to others.
It can make a difference.
Dear Lord, help us to reflect Your love to others, so
they might see the greatness of Your grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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