The late biblical scholar Spiros Zodhiates told a story about the old Baptist preacher Peter Miller. Miller ministered in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, during the 1700s. During the Revolutionary War, a man lived near his church. This man engaged in personal attacks against Peter Miller. He was more than a curmudgeon; he was an enemy.
It so happened that this ill-tempered man was accused of treason by credible sources. Soldiers arrested him, and a military tribunal sentenced him to hang.
When word reached Peter Miller, the old gospel minister immediately embarked on foot and walked seventy miles to Philadelphia, where the continental army had detained the adversary. Peter asked to speak to the commander-in-chief, General Washington, to beg Washington to spare the man’s life. Washington listened and answered, “No, your plea for your friend cannot be granted.”
“My friend,” Miller responded. “He is the worst enemy I have.”
“What!” Washington exclaimed. “You have walked nearly 70 miles to save the life of an enemy? That puts the matter in a different light. I will grant the pardon.”
Zodhiatus asked, “Isn’t that what Jesus did for us?”
Indeed, he did. Paul wrote, “For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” (Rom. 5:10.) Later, he added, “19Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Rom. 5:19-21.)
We live in an age that encourages us to identify enemies and nurse our wounds, harbor the desire for revenge, or, at the very least, return unto them what they have given us. The masses urge us to consider those who disagree politically, culturally, or religiously as our enemies. Perhaps those people consider us their enemies. But we choose to love them. As Spiros said, Peter Miller walked 70 miles to forgive an enemy. How far did Jesus travel to forgive us? How far is heaven from earth?
We emulate Jesus.