From time to time we all meet people to whom we have a great deal of difficulty expressing any level of brotherly love. It may be people we work with, someone at school or in our sport club, or a neighbour.
I remember one such individual. We seemed to be in conflict over every situation common to both of us.
One day I had a mind picture of Jesus introducing me to this man. He was standing behind the man with his hand on his shoulder and said, “This is my brother, Bill. I love him.”
“Because of his temperament and some of his early life experiences he some unlikable characteristics. I am placing him in your sphere of influence for a while. He is very valuable to me and has great need of unconditional love and acceptance. Will you do this for me?”
A request like that from a man like Jesus can be very difficult to ignore.