This week's passage also comes from Matthew chapter 5, the Sermon on the Mount, and is one of 6 laws that Jesus reinterprets for his listeners and for us. Each of these invites us to go beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of what it means in our life. But for me the 6th one, Matthew 5:43-48, is the toughest to swallow. Here we are told that we should love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.
From this passage we learn that we should love our enemies. God loves everyone and as children of God we should love them too. Which is another lesson, God loves everyone. God causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good and the rain to fall of the righteous and the unrighteous. And finally, we are called to a higher standard. We are to do better than the tax collectors and the pagans. We are to emulate our heavenly father as best we can.
This means that we have several things to work on in our faith journey. First, we need to pray, but not just for our wants or our needs, giving thanksgiving or asking for healing. We need to be in prayer for those who persecute us. Second, we need to love those who do not love us. God loves everyone even those that do not love God. We too are to love everyone. This not only shows them God's love, but it also frees us from the bondage of hatred. Third, we are to build relationships with those that differ from us. Let's be honest. The majority of our enemies are people who see things differently than we do. If we are to show our enemies love, we must build relationships with them and get to know them. This doesn't necessarily mean that we will change what we believe or think but it does mean that we humanize rather than demonize them. That we listen to them and share our beliefs respectfully.
As you consider the message of Matthew 5:43-48, reflect on these questions
in a time of silence, through journaling or in group dialogue.
1. Who are your enemies and what does it mean for you to love them?
2. What is the value and purpose of praying for those who persecute you?
3. Who is God calling you to build a relationship with and how might you begin to do that?
4. How is God calling you to live more deeply into the Sermon on the Mount in the week ahead?
5. How might God be calling our congregation to be more deeply formed by Jesus' call to love our enemies?
May Jesus richly bless you in this week ahead, leading you in His kingdom purposes. Amen
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