Written by Jolene Chong
When I first began university in England, I flew in a week too early before my accommodation was ready. A friend of my brother’s graciously opened her home to host me, where she grew to be (and remains) a friend and foster mother.
During one of my visits to her home the following year, I joined her family for a meal at the dinner table. We spoke about many things, and the conversation turned to the most recent news at that time: the hanging of Saddam Hussein. It had sparked many reactions around the world, including people publicly celebrating his execution on the streets.
Her youngest son, only in his mid-teens, offered his opinion:
“That’s terrible. We can be glad that people will no longer suffer at his hands, but we shouldn’t celebrate a person’s death like that.”
His response was incredibly profound, and stayed with me until this day.
Realistically, many people would describe joy or relief to hear that an infamous dictator and leader of genocide had met his justice on the earth. They would shrug at the news of the parties, and say the man deserved it for his crimes. But this young person, with maturity beyond his years, expressed compassion and kindness for someone very cruel.
It was amazing, because ultimately, his mindset was reflective of a core foundation for Christianity: treating everyone with love and compassion. Everyone, unconditionally, without exclusions.
It may sound like a simple idea, but in some situations, would we say we will genuinely offer love to those who do evil? If we were wronged, would we show kindheartedness to the person whom we know for a fact caused us pain? In my opinion, this is a continuous challenge that I face in being Christian; remembering to think, say and do kind things to everyone, regardless of the person’s reputation or actions towards me.
In the Bible, notably the New Testament’s chronicles of Jesus Christ’s life, we are shown some of His many great examples of love beyond standard expectations. Jesus showed mercy to a woman who committed adultery, though the laws of the time dictated she should be stoned (John 8:1-11). He dined with tax collectors, a group with corrupt reputations who were despised by the Jewish community (Mark 2: 15-17). While being crucified, he actually prayed for those who led him to his death- all while in agony (Luke 23: 34). What strength, and what pure love!
When people are grateful, or lovingly respond to help and support, being kind to them is not difficult or brave. In stark contrast, it is challenging, even painful, to show kindness and love to our enemies as Jesus did. That, in the end, is unconditional love.
Matthew 5:38 onwards describes Jesus explaining this to his vast number of followers:
“38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.
41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you…”
Our first instincts, understandably, are to protect ourselves and our loved ones, meaning we may be very reluctant to turn the other cheek. Sometimes it is tempting to give in to our negative feelings for others, to grumble or condemn or gripe about just rewards. I have struggled in many cases to show positivity and love to unkind people, often instead feeling hurt or complaining about what they have done.
But the Bible speaks the truth: if we are to be Christian, we are not to cherry-pick people to be caring to, or be a judge of who deserves love more than others. Instead, we are commanded to follow the example of Christ, spreading love and kindness to all we meet.