Independence Day & Loving Your Enemies

 

The Statue of the Brothers

Matthew 5:43-48

Independance Day

“I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matt. 5:44)

We are one week removed from the 70^th anniversary of the day North Korea invaded its southern neighbor, launching a military conflict which lasted a little over three years.  The United States was drawn into it to prevent Chinese-backed communism from expanding on the Korean peninsula.  Since the Colonial Era through the end of the 20th century, by my reconning our country has fought directly against France, England, Spain, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Vietnam.  North Korea is the lone instance where we did not find a way to reconcile with our enemy in a manner which created a deep and lasting friendship.  

While the two Koreas have not been able to reunite, those in the south, at least, long for the day it will become a reality.  Their hope is given an artistic expression through the War Memorial opened in Seoul in 1994 on a site formerly used as the military headquarters.  Along with informational exhibits, the memorial has multiple statues erected throughout its grounds depicting different aspects of the conflict.

Friday’s E-News featured a photograph of one of these sculptures – The Statue of Brothers created by Korean architect Choi Young-jeep.  Standing 11 meters tall and 18 meters wide, the work depicts a pair of soldiers embracing one another.  It portrays the real-life story of two brothers who fought in the Korean War on opposite sides who accidentally met on the battlefield. 

In the statue, the armed older brother embraces in defenseless, near-fallen younger brother.  The two stand on dome built from pieces of granite collected from across the county as they straddle a crack which symbolizes the ongoing divide between the two nations.  While the soldier representing the South clearly has the advantageous position, according to a plaque on the statute, the effect of the brothers’ embrace expresses “reconciliation, love, and forgiveness.”  Taken as a whole, The Statue of Brothers conveys the nation’s longing one day there will be a peaceful reunification between the two countries.

We Americans share in the hope one day our enemies will be our friends.  However, unlike previous conflicts, our involvement in the Middle East, like what is happening on the Korean peninsula, appears to have no end in sight.     

I suspect even people who know little about Jesus and his message are aware he teaches his followers to love their enemies.  And while this ethic is universal, Jesus addresses it to groups almost exclusively in positions lacking power.  Jesus counsels the persecuted to turn the other cheek and, when pressed, to carry a soldier’s pack an extra mile.  These principles have been embraced by Mahatma Gandi, Martin Luther King, and others to advocated for non-violent resistance as a method for the marginalized to contend for a more just society.

Jesus, however, is short on details when it comes to how those in power are to demonstrate love for an enemy.  John the Baptist directed Roman soldiers not to extort others and to be satisfied with their wages.  We derive from this a godly mandate not to use power to dominate others, but to be content with your lot in life.

While Jesus is short on specifics, he lifts up his own life as a witness.  We might expect if a god takes on human flesh it would seek to exploit its position and power for its own benefit and exultation.  But Jesus says of himself, “The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve” (Matt. 10:28).  He acts out this understanding perhaps most clearly when he takes on the role of a servant and washes the feet of disciples.  From this we learn of our obligation to use our power in service to others, especially the weak and vulnerable

This weekend our country celebrates the 249^th anniversary of our independence.  We are free as individuals to discern how to use our personal power and position for the benefit of all.  As we each find our own unique way to do this, collectively we are creating a tapestry which looks more and more like God’s dream for the human family. 

And we also recognize how our country uses its position and power on the world stage to further God’s dream.  We engage in all manner of humanitarian initiatives, intercede to mediate in places of conflict, use our strength to support the defenseless, and seek to reconcile with our enemies. 

Are we perfect at this?  Of course not.  It will always be easier to find instances to criticize while missing our mighty movement for good.  And, as we experienced this past week with the passage of the “one big, beautiful bill”, we will always debate how to turn the ethic of loving your enemy into public policy and we will disagree with certain aspects of what is enacted.  But, as the Korean memorial of The Brothers depicts, beneath our differences we share something in common which cannot be broken.  On this truth rests Jesus teaching to love your enemies.