Kingdom Love in the Face of Darkness
“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” – Matthew 5:44
Some stories stay with you. Chris Leggett’s story is one of them. He was just a guy from a local church who heard God’s call and said yes. He left behind comfort, safety, and familiarity to serve in one of the hardest places on earth. He believed people needed Jesus, so he went. And he lived out his faith in bold, sacrificial ways.
What’s staggering is that Chris wasn’t killed for doing wrong. He was killed for doing right. He taught kids. Helped the poor. Shared hope. Loved people. And for that, he was targeted. Not because he picked a fight, but because he looked like Jesus. The enemy hated that.
But what may be even more powerful than the tragedy was the response from his family. They could have shouted for justice. They could have lived consumed by bitterness. Instead, they forgave the very people who took their son’s life. That choice didn’t erase the pain, but it reflected the kind of love Jesus talks about. The kind of love the world cannot explain.
Loving your enemies does not mean forgetting what happened. It does not mean pretending it did not hurt. It means refusing to let hate own your heart. It means choosing grace when resentment feels justified. It means trusting that God's way is higher, and His love is stronger than anything this world throws at you.
That kind of love is not something we can pull off on our own. It takes the Spirit of God working in us. But when you have Jesus in you, you are not powerless. You are equipped. You are filled with a love that heals wounds, softens hearts, and transforms lives.
You will face people this week who mistreat you, misunderstand you, or oppose you. You have a choice. You can respond like the world, or you can respond like your Savior. One keeps you trapped. The other sets you free. Which kind of love are you going to show today?
Some stories stay with you. Chris Leggett’s story is one of them. He was just a guy from a local church who heard God’s call and said yes. He left behind comfort, safety, and familiarity to serve in one of the hardest places on earth. He believed people needed Jesus, so he went. And he lived out his faith in bold, sacrificial ways.
What’s staggering is that Chris wasn’t killed for doing wrong. He was killed for doing right. He taught kids. Helped the poor. Shared hope. Loved people. And for that, he was targeted. Not because he picked a fight, but because he looked like Jesus. The enemy hated that.
But what may be even more powerful than the tragedy was the response from his family. They could have shouted for justice. They could have lived consumed by bitterness. Instead, they forgave the very people who took their son’s life. That choice didn’t erase the pain, but it reflected the kind of love Jesus talks about. The kind of love the world cannot explain.
Loving your enemies does not mean forgetting what happened. It does not mean pretending it did not hurt. It means refusing to let hate own your heart. It means choosing grace when resentment feels justified. It means trusting that God's way is higher, and His love is stronger than anything this world throws at you.
That kind of love is not something we can pull off on our own. It takes the Spirit of God working in us. But when you have Jesus in you, you are not powerless. You are equipped. You are filled with a love that heals wounds, softens hearts, and transforms lives.
You will face people this week who mistreat you, misunderstand you, or oppose you. You have a choice. You can respond like the world, or you can respond like your Savior. One keeps you trapped. The other sets you free. Which kind of love are you going to show today?
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