Between the Pillars
“And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes. And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left. And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.”Judges 16:28–30 (KJV)
Samson’s last scene is one of the saddest in the Bible. Betrayed for silver, blinded and brought out to entertain a jeering crowd, he asks a boy to set him between the two pillars. Then he prays: “O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once.”
In his death, Samson did what he hadn’t done in his life. “So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.”
The parallels to Jesus are hard to miss. He too was sold for silver. He too was mocked by a crowd that wagged their heads and said, “He saved others; himself he cannot save.” And in his death he accomplished more than in all his life.
But there is one great difference. Samson prayed to be avenged “for my two eyes.” Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Samson died to defeat his enemies. Jesus died to save his.
Read it yourself
Read Judges 16:21–30 and Luke 23:33–43. Compare what each man asked for at the end.
What does Jesus’ prayer for his enemies show you about how he sees you?
Lord Jesus, you died not to destroy your enemies but to forgive them. Thank you that I am among the forgiven. Amen.