Learning from Jesus - Pt. 15

 

[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? When someone hurts you or wrongs you, it’s easy to think of revenge and wanting to “get even.” (Matthew 5:43-47 ESV).

 

Before I get into the text of today’s reading, I want to simply make a statement… I will be so happy when this year’s election is over. I have always had (and still do) strong opinions about what is good and right Scripturally; however, with the current political climate as it is, I have found it more difficult than ever to simply be quiet. Today’s lesson from Jesus speaks to the reason for that position on my part. Somehow, we have seen more people rail against their opponent with slurs and outright lies than speaking to issues. We have seen the hating of our “enemy” much more than the passionate opposition of their positions with a remedy for the wrong. We must stop the incessant name calling so prevalent in today’s climate. It is easy to hide behind the ease of social media as if God doesn’t read our posts! This is not Jesus’ way!

 

Loving someone whom we like is easy, but loving someone who has given us every reason not to like them is hard. Yet Jesus says that if we want to be like him, understanding and grace is at the foundation of our Christian walk. This really is what grace is all about. God loved us so much when we were his enemies that he sent Jesus to renew and restore us to him (cf. John 3:16-17; Romans 5:8-11). God has every right to reject us—and yet he keeps loving us fully.

 

What’s more, God asks us to do the same to everyone around us. Grace is the standard that God sets, and if we as believers accept that grace, we are to live with grace and forgiveness toward all others. Jesus modeled that we are to love others regardless of nationality, personality, faith, or circumstance. Jesus challenges us to be the grace differential so that others may know that we too have been loved and forgiven.