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,” – Matthew 5:43-44
Imagine you returned to the city after spending years in an isolated, off-grid cabin in the woods, eating fish from the stream and berries from the bushes, keeping warm with a fire in the grate, and simply “communing with nature.” Wondering what is happening in the world, you might turn on a television or read news online, finding different channels with journalists who present conflicting or opposing perspectives on issues. Is anyone telling the unvarnished truth? Is there any authority you can rely on?
At the time of Jesus, devout Jews relied on the teachings of the rabbis. In today’s passage, Jesus said they’d been taught to love their neighbors, as taught from Leviticus 19, and hate their enemies. However, nowhere in the Old Testament does it directly state that one should hate his enemies. Some thought it was implied in Psalms that called for vengeance, and I Samuel 24:19 suggests there is a limit to the love one should show to his enemies. Yet, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” He is telling you to put no boundaries on your love. In saying these things, He added to the aggravation of the religious leaders by making Himself the truth-telling Authority.
Why does Jesus instruct you to love your enemies? You were once an enemy and hostile to the Gospel yourself (Colossians 1:21, Romans 5:10). God’s purpose, evidenced in the cross of Jesus, was to reconcile His enemies to Himself… to make provision for your reconciliation so that you would no longer be an enemy but a friend. And more than a friend, a child of God! Have you placed barriers on your love for others? Has your love been conditional? Ask the Lord to soften your heart and make it more like His own.
Today’s Verse: Matthew 5:43-44
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Matthew 5:38-48
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 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. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
