Peace Seeker
Member
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2011
- Messages
- 718
When we think of what it means to be Christlike, we think of things like being forgiving, feeding the hungry, being compassionate, healing the sick, loving one another, etc.
How about John 15:13 which says, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (NRSV).
But, what would you call laying down one’s life for one’s enemies? An act like that would certainly rise to the level of being “Christ like!!”
Very few people know the name Dirk Willems. But, he is legendary in the annals of Anabaptist martyrology. The year was 1569. The setting was Holland, specifically the town of Leerdam. During his teenage years, Willems rejected his infant baptism and was re-baptized in Rotterdam, and thereby joined himself with the Ana-baptists.
Ana-baptism was illegal in Holland in the late 16th century. And, although it was dangerous to identify oneself with the movement, to be considered one of its sponsors or leaders was an even greater offense. Therefore, Willems was imprisoned and sentenced to death at the stake and was burned alive sometime in May, 1569.
What is so remarkable and touching about this story, however, is what happened before his final capture and execution.
After his arrest and imprisonment he was able to break free and began to flee. He ran out of town and across a field which eventually led him to a frozen pond. Dirk risked a dash across it and made it to safety, but the ice broke under his pursuer who cried out for help. Despite being in a position to effectively escape, he forfeited his freedom and self-interest and turned back to help the man out of the water.
So Willems was apprehended a second time by the man, taken back into town where he stood trial, was again imprisoned, tortured then burned at the stake.
Is there a more Christ-like example of loving your enemies than this? It is one thing to lay down your life for your friends. But, one who sacrifices one’s life for enemies is clearly living like Jesus. What a testimony!
In those scriptures where Jesus discusses loving the enemy, none of His examples comes close to requiring that one die for the enemy. So what would we have done if we were in Willem's place?
Father, help us always to be Christlike, no matter what the cost!!
How about John 15:13 which says, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (NRSV).
But, what would you call laying down one’s life for one’s enemies? An act like that would certainly rise to the level of being “Christ like!!”
Very few people know the name Dirk Willems. But, he is legendary in the annals of Anabaptist martyrology. The year was 1569. The setting was Holland, specifically the town of Leerdam. During his teenage years, Willems rejected his infant baptism and was re-baptized in Rotterdam, and thereby joined himself with the Ana-baptists.
Ana-baptism was illegal in Holland in the late 16th century. And, although it was dangerous to identify oneself with the movement, to be considered one of its sponsors or leaders was an even greater offense. Therefore, Willems was imprisoned and sentenced to death at the stake and was burned alive sometime in May, 1569.
What is so remarkable and touching about this story, however, is what happened before his final capture and execution.
After his arrest and imprisonment he was able to break free and began to flee. He ran out of town and across a field which eventually led him to a frozen pond. Dirk risked a dash across it and made it to safety, but the ice broke under his pursuer who cried out for help. Despite being in a position to effectively escape, he forfeited his freedom and self-interest and turned back to help the man out of the water.
So Willems was apprehended a second time by the man, taken back into town where he stood trial, was again imprisoned, tortured then burned at the stake.
Is there a more Christ-like example of loving your enemies than this? It is one thing to lay down your life for your friends. But, one who sacrifices one’s life for enemies is clearly living like Jesus. What a testimony!
In those scriptures where Jesus discusses loving the enemy, none of His examples comes close to requiring that one die for the enemy. So what would we have done if we were in Willem's place?
Father, help us always to be Christlike, no matter what the cost!!
