Scripture:
Luke 6:27-36 ESV
[27] “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, [28] bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. [29] To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. [30] Give to everyone who begs you, and from one who takes away your goods, do not demand them back. [31] And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. [32] “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. [33] And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. [34] 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. [35] 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. [36] Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
Observation:
Just like yesterday, these words were spoken directly from Jesus, so the content is not something that we get to make exceptions for. It’s just how it is. So let’s look at what is being said. The first statement right off the bat is to love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. This is not normal for us, I’m sure, and I could start talking about the application process pretty easily in my face. I have had to back up a few times. Because these scriptures correct my heart. What Jesus is saying is that we can not repay evil for evil… we have to fight evil with good. We can try to explain it away by some kind of justification or rationalization. But the bottom line is that Jesus HIMSELF did all this on the way to the cross. When they hit HIM, HE did not strike back. HE never really defended HIMSELF. When they took HIS clothes, HE did not demand them back. HE is the son of GOD living out what HE had instructed us to do. HE submitted to the fact that it was not up to HIM it was about the will of GOD. Just to describe and explain these scriptures, Jesus loved those who hated HIM just because HE was the son of GOD. So, in looking at what these verses are saying, we also got to watch HIM walk out the words HE spoke. Bringing glory to the father that cost HIM everything. Willingly being nailed to a cross and giving HIS very life for those who hate HIM. To HIM, these were not just words to guide your path they were describing HIS. I think the statement in verse 33 says so much. ” If you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? Even sinners do the same.” We could go through a whole list here lending with an expected return. HE tells us that lending expecting nothing in return puts rewards in heaven. Giving out of a selfless heart.
Application:
Ok, so I’m just going to be honest here. I don’t really want to be nice to people who are mean and callous to me. In fact, I would like to lash out. If someone steals from me, I want to go get it back, and if you stab me in the back, look out. But listen, that’s not the model that was given to me…by the one who died for me. HE not only told me how to walk, but HE showed me as well. So I can sit here and say it’s not possible or justify my behavior because of what someone else did. But the model that was given takes away all my rights to react. Suppose GOD is truly in control of my life. I will surrender my right to be offended and just allow HIM to do what HE is going to do. My job is to love, and that’s it. I know… I know…. but you don’t know what they did and how it made me feel. You’re right. I don’t. But HE does, and HE died for you. My thought is it’s probably time to give up our rights and follow the king. We are not going to win people to the kingdom by returning evil for evil. You can not use the enemies’ own weapons against him. You have to fight him with weapons he does not understand. It’s hard to fight hate with love. But it works. Jesus laid down HIS life to show us that love is the only thing that will disarm hate. Let’s put down our right to get mad set aside our desire to get someone back and just pray for those who have harmed us, broken our hearts, and taken our things. I know it’s hard, and you may say I don’t understand, but I do I have been done wrong many times, and when I do my best to let go of it. I am freed from the sleepless nights, wondering how I’m going to get that person back. Bitterness and resentment will keep your prayers from getting to the father. HE wants our hearts to be based on love. That’s our job. Love our enemies and pray for those who hurt you. Repay good for evil.
Prayer:
Father, this could be the hardest thing you ask us to do. I know we feel like we have a right to get mad and get people back that hurt us. But we don’t. We want to take their eye out when they poke us in ours. Help us to love… help us to see things from your perspective. We want to be used by you. We want to build your kingdom here on earth. We want to lay down who we are and pick up who you made us to be. We don’t know everything. We can’t see everything, but you can. We want to be more like your son. It’s in HIS mighty name we pray amen.