Love in the Midst of Hate

There was a time

many years ago

in a place called Jerusalem 

when hate seemed to win

hate was everywhere

and fear

people were like sheep

being pulled this way and that by others

who in their hate and fear

stirred the fires of

enmity

I think of that time

and all i can see

are the masses crying "crucify him'

and the men beating Jesus in the courtyard

and the crowds lining the streets

jeering

as Jesus, cross laden

trudges the long way to Calvary

it is all happen

in the name of God

in the midst of it all was one

called Jesus

in silence

 and in sorrow

he took on the hate

and anger

and fear

he took on the self righteousness

the arrogance

the violence

 

he took it on

and took it to the cross

and said

"this dies here"

 

all of this

 

violence is not solved by violence

fear is not solved by stirring the flames of hatred

our problems do not 

respond to power

 

but to

love

giving, sacrificial, tolerant love

love

which fails to feed the energy of hate

 

perhaps

as we talk to one another

as we post on Facebook

as we take on the role of 

protectors of God

and God's 'way'

 

we need to remember

Jesus on the cross