2 Maccabees 14:15-25: a reflection

15But when the Jews heard of Nicanor’s advance and the assault of the heathen, they sprinkled dirt on their heads and made solemn prayers to him who had established his own people for evermore, and who always, making manifest his presence, upholds those who are his own heritage. 16When the leader had given orders, he immediately set out from there and joined battle with them at a village called Lessau. 17But Simon, the brother of Judas, had encountered Nicanor, yet not till late, having been delayed by reason of the sudden consternation caused by his adversaries. 18Nevertheless Nicanor, hearing of the valor of those who were with Judas, and their courage in fighting for their country, shrank from bringing the matter to the decision of the sword. 19Therefore he sent Posidonius, Theodotus, and Mattathias to give and receive pledges of friendship. 20So when these proposals had been long considered, and the leader had made the troops acquainted with them, and it appeared that they were all of like mind, they consented to the covenants. 21They appointed a day on which to meet together by themselves. A chariot came forward from each army. They set up seats of honor. 22Judas stationed armed men ready in convenient places, lest perhaps there should suddenly be treachery on the part of the enemy. They held a conference as was appropriate. 23Nicanor waited in Jerusalem, and did nothing to cause disturbance, but dismissed the flocks of people that had gathered together. 24He kept Judas always in his presence. He had gained a hearty affection for the man. 25He urged him to marry and have children. He married, settled quietly, and took part in common life.

Nicanor is sent as a military commander against Judas Maccabeus, expected to fight and defeat him. But something unexpected happens. When Nicanor encounters Judas, and hears of his valor and his devotion, he is won over. Rather than fighting, he makes peace with Judas, and, the text says, he gained a hearty affection for the man. He urged Judas to marry and settle down; and Judas did, taking part in ordinary life. For a season, the commander sent to destroy Judas became his friend.

Notice the surprising turn. Nicanor came as an enemy, tasked with defeating Judas. And yet, encountering him, he came to genuinely respect and even love him; hostility gave way to friendship. What began as a confrontation between adversaries became, for a time, a warm bond, so that Nicanor kept Judas close and cared for his welfare. An enemy became a friend.

That unexpected turn is worth holding onto, especially about the people we regard as enemies or adversaries. We are prone to assume that an enemy is forever an enemy, that hostility is fixed, that reconciliation is impossible. But hearts can change; adversaries can become friends; the one sent to oppose us may come to respect and even love us. God is able to soften hostility and turn enemies into friends. Do not write anyone off as a permanent enemy. Pray for the softening of hostility, work for peace where you can, and remember that the commander sent to destroy Judas came to love him. Enemies can become friends.

Lord, Nicanor came as an enemy sent to destroy Judas, and yet came to respect and love him, so that hostility gave way to friendship. Keep me from writing anyone off as a permanent enemy, assuming that hostility is fixed and reconciliation impossible. You are able to soften hostility and turn adversaries into friends. Help me pray for the softening of hostility, work for peace where I can, and hope for reconciliation even with those who oppose me. Turn enemies into friends, as you did with Nicanor and Judas, and give me a heart open to it.