Relationship
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» (Matthew 5:44).
Michael Widman, a tavern owner from Pennsylvania, was a bad-tempered and unfriendly man. He lived during the North-American Revolution (17751783) which confronted the army of the independent General George Washington and the British General William Howe. One night, two of Howe’s men in civilian clothes lodged at Widman’s inn. During dinner, the reckless Widman spoke of General Howe in a disrespectful and insulting manner. The emissaries reported his attitude to the General, and Widman was taken prisoner and brought before General Howe. To put things right, Widman offered the British General information about the places where the revolutionaries were hiding their munitions. The General pitied him for his traitorous offer and dismissed him, without accepting the information. His conduct was immediately discovered and some of Washington’s soldiers arrested him. He was judged and sentenced to death for treason.
Minutes before his execution, he was granted pardon. Why did Washington pardon Michael Widman? The reason was the old minister Peter Miller. Years ago, Widman and Miller lived in the same community. Widman hated Miller and proved it by unfairly criticizing the minister, repeatedly spitting in his face and physically hurting him. When Peter Miller found out about the sentence, he firmly felt the words of Jesus in his heart, «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» (Matt 5:44). Without hesitation, despite the harsh winter, he walked all the way to the place of execution, which was 97 km away. He arrived in time to speak to General Washington and seek clemency for Michael Widman’s life. George Washington explained to him that it was impossible to pardon a traitor and that he could not do anything to save his friend’s life.
«My friend?» replied Miller. «But he is my worst enemy. I’m doing this because I want to act according to the rule of Jesus Christ.» The General answered him:
«Did you walk for such a long distance to save your enemy’s life? This puts everything in a very different perspective. I’ll sign his pardon because of you, Pastor Miller.»
You may think that it is humanly impossible to follow the commandment of Jesus: love, bless and do good to those who hate, use and persecute us, but God’s grace will make it possible if you fervently ask for His help.
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Taken from: Daily Devotions for Junior 2020
“A Cheerful Heart Is Good Medicine”
From: Julian Melgoza-Laura Fidanza
Colaboradores:Ricardo Vela & Emmanuel Tapia
