For His Enemies (Matt. 5:44)
One of Jesus' most famous sayings was found in Matthew 5:44-48. Review the verses. What is the essence of this important message to all who would follow Jesus?
In a real sense, one could say that Christ's whole life, and death, was a manifestation of this principle, that of loving your enemies, that of doing good even to those who do not do you good.
After the fall of Adam and Eve, the whole world became, in a sense, enemy territory, a race of fallen and rebellious beings living in opposition to God. What, though, did God do to this enemy planet? Did He send an army of angels down to sweep it away in its iniquity? No, instead, He sent Jesus, His Son, who came in order to save the world, not to condemn it.
What overt examples can you find in the Gospels that show the love of Jesus, even for His enemies? Which ones stand out the most in your mind?
How about, for example, when He healed the ear of the servant when Peter cut it off (Luke 22:50, 51)? Or how about the time He revealed to Judas His foreknowledge of what Judas was going to do, giving the hardened disciple another opportunity to turn away from his sin (Matt. 26:25)?
Of course, the greatest example has to be His prayer to the Father as He was being crucified: "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). In many ways that is the ultimate example of love for those who do not deserve it; though they did not know what they were doing, they had no excuse. During His time here, Jesus gave ample opportunity, to both Jews and Romans, to know who He was, or at least to know enough to know that Jesus did not deserve what He was getting. Despite that, Jesus showed His compassion for them anyway.
It is one thing to say you are supposed to love your enemies; it is another to know how to do it. What is the key to manifesting this attribute in your own life? How willing are you to make the changes needed in order to be able to love your enemies?
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