But to you who are listening. What a way to begin one of the toughest teachings in all of Scripture! It’s almost as though Jesus knew that some people would stop listening at this point.
This teaching is simple. Love your enemies by doing good to them instead of doing them harm. Love your enemies by blessing them with your words instead of cursing them when they curse you. Pray for them when they mistreat you instead of mistreating them in return.
Reminds me of someone who hung on a cross… Loving his enemies. Blessing them with his words as they cursed him. Praying for them as they mistreated him. Today is an opportunity to follow Jesus in prayer as we pray for our enemies. Are you still listening?
Spend some time praying in light of what God’s Word teaches us:
- Remember Christ’s love for you when you were his enemy.
- Remember how his words blessed you.
- Remember how he prayed for you.
- Remember how he died for you.
- Now love your enemies in prayer the same way.