My Father's Eyes

[Jesus said] “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 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. 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. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:32-36 ESV).

 

There have been many people who remember my Dad who have remarked that I “look like” him. Usually they say it with some remark like "Wow, you really have your father's eyes." Well, the picture I’ve attached with today’s devotional is one of my Dad when he was in his late twenties. Maybe… there could be some resemblance. I’ll let those of you who knew me when I was younger if that’s true. I have never thought there was a great resemblance, though because of his early death, it is harder to tell whether we look similar now that I’m much older than he was then. I know he was taller. He was left-handed, I’m not. Maybe the nose is similar, but we are both Italian!

 

The comparison is interesting. And, that brings us to our reading. Jesus is talking about a family resemblance when He says, "and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful." The BIG question is “What does it mean, to look like God?” Well, Jesus answers that. It means to be kind and merciful, even to those who are ungrateful, even to the wicked. It does not mean that we should ignore the evil done to us or others. Instead, it means looking at the situation with clear eyes, fully acknowledging the trouble in the relationship, and being completely aware that whatever you do, things will probably not get better, and deciding to act like Jesus anyway. That is our family resemblance to God.

To be sure, we need to show some intelligence when we deal with people who are evil. There is no sense behaving in a way that is likely to tempt them to do more evil, for instance, by placing yourself back in the reach of an abuser. Don't do that! It's no kindness to you or to the abuser. And clearly, we must not place other people at risk, for instance, by bringing a known abuser to live with us and our children. It is a matter of acting with kindness and wisdom. After all, it is Jesus who has risen from the dead and promised to share His everlasting life with us, even though we are not worthy and are often ungrateful and sinful. What an honor to resemble Jesus and give evidence that He has made us children of the Most High!