Who are my enemies?

2/23/25 – Mars Hill UMC

                                                                       Woodlawn Movie 

The One Way

Have you ever watched the movie Woodlawn? It’s based on a true story about the Woodlawn High School football team. When I first came to this country, I had no idea about football. But I’ve been learning about it through movies. Now, I can even laugh when my kids tell me jokes like, “Why did the football coach go to the bank? To get his quarterback.”

In the early 1970s, Woodlawn High School in Alabama was filled with racial tensions due to segregation. Miami Dolphins superstar running back Tony Nathan and several other Black players joined the school's predominantly white football team. The team clashed both on and off the field. After a riot at the school, Coach Tandy Gerelds allowed a traveling sports chaplain, Hank Erwin, to speak to the team as a "motivational speaker." His message moved nearly the entire team to commit their lives to follow Jesus Christ. Through prayer and Bible study, they became one.

Despite objections from some white players' parents, Coach Gerelds decided to play Nathan, and the team started winning. Nathan became a breakout star, leading his team to the biggest high school game in Alabama history against their rival, L. Frazier Banks High School. During the game, Nathan scored a touchdown but was injured by a vicious late hit and couldn't continue playing. However, his influence extended beyond the field. Hank Erwin later arranged a meeting between the Woodlawn and Banks players, leading to a spiritual awakening on the opposing team as well.

During their final game, with a record-breaking crowd watching, Nathan scored a touchdown and raised his hand, pointing upward to say, "Jesus is the one way." In a powerful moment, players from both teams and even the audience raised their hands too.

When Tony Nathan struggled with the hatred and violence directed at him—including an incident where white students threw rocks at his younger brother—a pastor preached from today’s scripture:

"Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you… Do to others as you would have them do to you… Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." (Luke 6:27-36)

What seemed like an impossible love—Tony Nathan lived it out. He forgave those who once treated him as an enemy, showed them God’s love, and, in the end, even his opponents were no longer enemies. When he lifted his hand to point to Jesus, chills ran through my entire body.

 

Who Is My Enemy?

In Luke 10, a teacher of the law asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus told him to love God and love his neighbor. But the man asked, "Who is my neighbor?" In response, Jesus told the Parable of the Good Samaritan. The Samaritan, whom the Jews saw as their enemy, was the one who showed kindness. Through this parable, Jesus revealed that love can transform even enemies into neighbors.

If we were to ask Jesus today, "Who is my enemy?" what would He say?

The dictionary defines an enemy as "a person who is actively opposed or hostile to someone or something; a hostile nation or force; or anything that harms or weakens something else." Enemies are often those who oppose us, harm us, or make our lives difficult. Our natural instinct is to remove such people from our lives. But God’s command is radically different—He tells us to love them.

There are three types of love: eros (romantic love), philia (friendship), and agape (God’s unconditional love). The Bible describes agape love like this:

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

Luke 6:35-36 also says:

"But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."

Even when we were sinners—ungrateful and hostile toward God—He was kind to us. Jesus showed us this love first, and now, He commands us to do the same. We are not called to love only those who love us back or those who will repay our kindness. We are called to love those who oppose us, harm us, or make life difficult. Jesus tells us to love even our greatest enemies—because in the end, we are called to love everyone.

 

Am I My Own Enemy?

For the past few weeks, I’ve been reflecting on the question: Who is my enemy? At first, I thought, I didn’t really have any enemies. No one comes to mind who actively hates me.

But then I realized—if I define an enemy as someone who annoys me—suddenly, I have a lot of enemies!

Even the Apostle Paul wrestled with an inner struggle. He cried out in Romans 7:24-25:
"What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!"

Paul recognized the war within himself—between his desire to follow God and his sinful nature. At times, we are our own worst enemy. We struggle to accept ourselves, to forgive ourselves, and to love ourselves. Judas Iscariot could not forgive himself for betraying Jesus, and in despair, he took his own life.

Do we love ourselves even when we fail? Do we embrace ourselves even when we are weak? Sometimes, the person we treat most like an enemy is ourselves.

 

When Loved Ones Become Enemies

Jesus said in Matthew 10:34-36:

"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword… a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household."

True peace is not just avoiding conflict—it is the inner peace that comes from following Christ. At times, obeying God can create tension even within our own families. Have you ever faced opposition from your loved ones for following God’s will?

 

Loving Those Who Make Life Difficult

An enemy is anyone who makes life harder for us. Who in your life fits that description? Who is the one who "strikes your cheek" or constantly demands something from you?

As I read this passage, I had an unexpected realization—sometimes, my own children are the people God is calling me to love as "enemies."

Last week, my children took turns getting sick. One had a sore throat, another had an upset stomach. I found myself constantly running from room to room like a nurse—checking temperatures, handing out medicine, cleaning up messes. It felt endless.

In moments of exhaustion, do I see demanding situations as an enemy? Do I grow frustrated with the ones I’m called to love? Even among my children, I sometimes see them treating each other as enemies—fighting over the smallest things. But God calls us to love, bless, and pray for those who test our patience the most.

 

A Good Example

While meditating on this passage, I heard that Dale’s husband, Gaye’s brother, Bob, had passed away. I hesitated to call Dale, unsure of what to say. But when I finally spoke to her, her voice was bright.

Knowing Dale, I understood—faith gave her that strength. Despite her deep sorrow, she was grateful that Bob never had to go to a nursing home, and that she could care for him until the very end. Even when Bob could no longer express gratitude, even when it was exhausting, Dale never stopped loving him.

This is the love Jesus calls us to. The love that embraces even the most difficult relationships.

As we close today, I invite you to take a moment to pray. Who is God calling you to love today? Is it yourself? A family member? Someone who has wronged you?

May we follow Jesus, love our enemies, and show the world that God is Love.

Amen.