“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those
who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you”. Luke
6:27-28
Whooooa those enemies! This is definitely one of those
controversial statements that Jesus made to the people during His ministry.
Love your enemies! Pray for those who hurt, abuse, curse, treat you horribly,
take advantage of you and make fun of you. Pray for those people! Pray for them
to be successful, safe and happy. After recovering from the initial shock of
reading this verse we tend to consider who our enemies are. Our minds fly to
the office bully, the frienemy that stays in our life even though they
continual hurt us or even a family member who puts you down any chance they
get. We are taught to love these people, not just tolerate them but love them.
Do nice things for them, speak highly of them, be nice to them and respect
them. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in
Christ forgave you” Ephe 4:32 I think this is a powerful and beautiful lesson.
Jesus endured torture and a horrible death by His own people, but with blood in
his eyes and nails in his hands, He looked up to God and said “Father, forgive
them, for they know not what they do” Luke 23:34. Mocked, beaten, ridiculed,
betrayed and abandoned – Jesus turned around and prayed to God to forgive those
same people. Jesus’ words are profound “forgive them, they do not know what
they are doing”. The people who upset us most times don’t know the effect they
have on our feelings. When we pray for them and love them anyway, we open the
door for God to take care of the situation while leaving you in peace, “if
your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him
water to drink; For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the LORD will reward you” Prov
25:21.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, you are my perfect example. Your life was one of love
and forgiveness. Teach me and change me to love others despite the way they
treat me. Help me to be your representative on earth so they may see You in me.
Help me Lord to give you my battles, to not sit in bitterness and plot revenge.
You are My God and I know you will protect and care for me. Thank you Lord for
the freeing truth of your love.
