Show Mercy to Your Enemies

I love the movie “El Cid,” the story of the man who united Spain and became a great hero.

For centuries the Christians had fought the Moors. They hated and killed each other. In battle, El Cid captured five Moors but refused to kill them because he realized that killing had never done any good. He believed that showing mercy to his enemies would change their hearts and then both groups could live in peace.

One of the Moors he captured said, ‘Anyone can kill, but only a true king can show mercy to his enemies.’ Because of El Cid’s one act of kindness, his enemies offered themselves to him as friends and allies from that point on.

Jesus is a true king, and He is good, kind and merciful to all, even those who hate Him. Can we do any less than follow His example? Right now, can you think of anyone to whom you could show mercy? Being merciful and good, especially to your enemies, may be one of the most powerful things you have ever done.