The Sermon Continues - Pt 5

 

[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?” (Matthew 5:43–47 ESV).

 

Our reading today contains a verse where Jesus addresses the traditional cultural and religious teachings of his time regarding relationships with others. In the first part of the verse, Jesus references a common interpretation of the law at the time. While the Hebrew Scriptures commanded to "love your neighbor" (cf. Leviticus 19:18), the addition of "hate your enemy" was a cultural and religious tradition that the religious leaders (ie.: the Pharisees) had adopted to justify drawing lines between insiders (their people) and outsiders (foreigners or those who opposed them). Sound familiar?

 

Jesus recalls the true intent of the command of God. Jesus completely flips this concept by instructing his followers: "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." He explains that showing love only to those who love you back is easy, but loving your enemies reflects the character of God, who generously provides sunlight and rain to both the righteous and the unrighteous alike.

 

Jesus certainly lived this principle in His life. There are countless examples of Him loving those who clearly hated Him. He prayed for them as well. You remember as they nailed Him to the cross, Luke recalls this for us:

 

“And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. (Luke 23:33–34 ESV).

 

We cannot, we must not, make those who are vehemently opposed to us our hated enemies. We should treat them with the love and wisdom of God.