Wherever Jesus went, the crowds liked to follow. They liked what they saw, as He healed the sick, fed crowds, and told nice, but often puzzling stories. However, the lesson that Jesus was now teaching was one that was a difficult one to follow. He had just spoken an abbreviated version of the Beatitudes to the crowds, telling them things, such as you are blessed if you are poor or weep, or men hate you for His sake, and woe to the rich and those that men speak well of, things that seem the opposite of what everyone would think. Now Jesus was telling everyone to love their enemies and bless those who treat them badly! This was a difficult lesson for the crowd that day, and for us today, as well. Let’s take a closer look.
From our earliest years we have all had to deal with people who have mistreated us. There were always other children at the playground who were brats, and as we grow older, there those at work or in the neighborhood who do us wrong. Our natural inclination is to dislike them, and even hate some of them. Often we think of ways that we can get back at them. In today’s Scripture passage, though, the Lord Jesus tells us that this is not the way that the Father wants His children to act. Instead of showing hate, He wants us to love our enemies, and do good to them, rather than to retaliate.
How is this possible when our natural reaction is to want to clobber them, to give back to them what they did to us? Feelings of love just do not issue forth. This love isn’t affection that comes when we really like someone and agree with them. This is an act of the will. One doesn’t “fall into” this love. It is a conscious effort. It is acting in their best interest, helping them, praying for them. It is following the example of Jesus, who loves the whole world even though it is in rebellion against Him and hates Him.
Love is action. It is easy to show kindness and generosity to those who are kind to us. Not so easy for those who hate us. However, if God was not kind and generous to us sinners when we were opposing Him, where would any of us be? (Romans 5:8). When we have turned to the Lord and accepted Jesus as Savior, we become His children. So if we are God’s children, we should act like it by showing forth His moral character (vs. 35). God is loving, gracious, and generous even to His enemies, and we should, too.
We who have been shown divine mercy are to practice a lifestyle of forgiveness (vs. 37-38). Forgive as God forgave us. A forgiving spirit shows we have received God’s forgiveness. What we give out to others will come back to us in full measure. Jesus wants us to offer forgiveness to those who have hurt us. It won’t change what they did, but it will change us. Forgiveness is too important to ignore for our spiritual health.
This is not to say that God will just ignore the terrible things people have done. God will judge sin, and He greatly desires people to turn from their sin and receive His salvation. By our showing loving kindness to those who least deserve it, we will show the lost God’s love and mercy, hoping they will repent and be saved (II Peter 3:9).
As followers of Jesus, we are to be different from the world, not like the people of the world. Be someone who is known for their compassion, their thoughtfulness, and their consideration of others, including to those who do not deserve it.
THe recent current events with N. Korea come to mind as I read today's message. Just maybe this the Lord's way of talking to us.
ReplyDeleteBe Blessed