In John 8:3-11 we read the story of the woman caught in adultery and brought to Jesus. Those that brought her had intentions of harming her. When they threw her at Jesus’ feet they had no mercy in their hearts. With all of their ill intentions, they did something good. They brought her to Jesus. Had they never brought her to Jesus she may have remained in the same sinful lifestyle. She may have never met Jesus otherwise. I wonder if she ever came to the point of not only forgiving, but being thankful for her accusers?
Have you ever felt betrayed? Not only betrayed, but you felt like you’d been thrown to the wolves. The person that betrayed you may have smeared your name. They may have spread lies about you. They may have dragged your name through the mud in front of others. I imagine this woman may have felt all of this and more. But when those that brought her to what they thought would be an execution they actually delivered her to be pardoned. Maybe your betrayal sent you to the feet of Jesus. Maybe you cried out to Him for help. Maybe you were guilty. Maybe you were even lost. Because of the betrayal instead of ending up at the mercy of wolves you ended up in the mercy of the Lamb.
Just as when we were children and we were given a nasty tasting medicine to help us get better. We will encounter trials and troubles that don’t seem good, but are good for us. Although this can be a painful process if it puts you in the presence of Jesus it’s a gift. We can then say that our enemy has become our friend because they pushed us towards Jesus. We can say as Joseph said to his brothers: As far as you’re concerned, you were planning evil against me, but God intended it for good (Genesis 50:20 ISV).
So remember this when going through times of trouble. If it makes you draw closer to Jesus it is good for you.
Matthew 5:44-45 NET 44 But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be like your Father in heaven, since he causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.