God's Garden - Pt. 7

[Jesus said] “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:43-48 ESV)

 

The spring in our part of Texas has been unusually dry, even for our area. However, we have begun to see the welcome dark clouds build and rains come of late. I always like the way everything just looks cleaner and brighter after a rain. The grass and plants seem to strengthen and stand straighter. We do have an irrigations system for most of the area around our homes, but as any gardener knows, there’s nothing like rain to replenish the plants and trees. We are always grateful for the soaking rains from our heavenly Father.

 

Everyone around us received rain, even people who speak of “Mother Nature” or express no gratitude to the Father for raining his blessings on them. I sometimes wonder about this. Maybe you do too. Mary and I have always done our best to teach our children to say thank you for the gifts they received throughout their lives, and they in turn have taught their children to do the same.

 

Our reading for today has been quoted across the centuries in theological debates. This lesson from God’s garden demonstrates the heavenly Father’s providence to all his undeserving children, “the evil and the good.” And the lesson goes further. God’s grateful children are to show heavenly love to “enemies” as well as friends.

 

That’s never an easy task. For this work of love, I recommend beginning the day with prayer for how you can shine God’s warmth and goodness into the lives of friends and enemies alike. And throughout the day, pray that all your neighbors will come to know the Father through Jesus, the Son.