Our scripture this morning is Matthew 5:43-45 (NLT).
You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.
In this passage from the Sermon on the Mount Jesus tells us to love our enemies. This is not really a new teaching, but a reorientation of how we are to understand God’s law. God says we are to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18) and this is our starting point. Seeing others as God sees them is the first step.
In Proverbs 25:21-22 we read “If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink. You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the Lord will reward you.” God tells us that even our enemies are His children and we should care for them because of this.
Jesus demonstrated His obedience to God on the cross, and said as He was crucified “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). This was His example for us, that even in the midst of persecution, our love for God and His children is our first and last thought. We may never face such a dire situation, but we are all called to reduce the level of hate in the world by praying for and loving one another.
Gracious God, in Your mercy You sent Jesus to save us from our sins. Help us to love each other as He taught and showed us, and to carry the Good News everywhere. Amen.
