Knowing The Word in Luke 6:27-36

Love Your Enemies

27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

Comments

Jesus’ command to love your enemies is uncompromising. Followers of Jesus cannot love selectively or forgive selectively. True love is found in a disciple’s words and prayers. When Jesus spoke about offering your other cheek, it was about a punch in the jaw, not a mere slap on the cheek. He spoke about an attitude of reacting to an attack. When we Christians are injured, we are not to seek revenge. Jesus looked for a readiness among his followers to be proactive in giving to others. His disciples were to think, “What do I wish others would do to me?

Jesus then turns to love and mercy. He looks for his followers to have the same kind of love and mercy that he gives his followers. Remember, he washed Judas’ feet at the Last Supper, all the while knowing that Judas would betray him. When we want to understand love and mercy, Jesus is the ultimate example.

Application

Who in your life is the hardest person for you to love or to show mercy to? Have you considered that perhaps God has put them there for a reason to help you to grow in love and mercy? (I am not talking about sinful, ungodly people who hurt and violate you, but people who are difficult to love at times.)

Prayer

Jesus, the depths of your love and mercy bestowed upon me are unbelievable at times. Assist me in my life to reflect this love and mercy to others, especially as I deal with difficult people. Help me always to shun vengeance and to strike back against others that I may witness your divine qualities in my life.