Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
Devotional: “Love your enemies.” Perhaps you read right over this part of today’s Scripture or maybe it was the part that stood out to you. Now, this is different than the age-old adage, “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” This part of our Scripture today is not about keeping our enemies close for our own personal gain. It is truly about loving them.
After reading the parable of the Good Samaritan, we recognize that we should consider everyone our neighbor and love them all well, as Christ has commanded us to. Now whether or not we mean to, we often leave our enemies out of this category. Though “everyone is our neighbor” is a pretty broad-sweeping category, it can be difficult to put those who have wounded us or hate us into that category. But that is what Jesus is calling us to do.
This means that we turn the other cheek. Matthew 5:40-42 says, “And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” Jesus tells us to go above and beyond to show our love. This feels unnatural and is not easy. Recognize that this is love in action. It is a love that we choose every day, and it is the perfect opportunity to point others to Jesus.
Reflect:
- Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 again. Pray that you would show this sort of love to everyone you interact with this week.
