A Community of Enemy-Love
For Meditation (Corey Widmer)
We’re now winding down our study of the second section of the Sermon on the Mount (5:17-48), in which Jesus addresses his relationship to the Torah. Jesus offers six “case studies” that demonstrate how he has come to fulfill the Law and the Prophets, and also how he enables a “greater righteousness” that empowers us beyond surface obedience to the Law. In this final of the six case studies, Jesus calls his followers to the highest form of love that most faithfully mirrors God’s own heart: the love of our enemies.
While the Old Testament never commands God’s people to “hate your enemies,” over time the law of God had been construed that way. After all, for people who were long oppressed and living under the heavy boot of the Roman empire, hating one's enemies seemed not only natural but necessarily patriotic. Against this misinterpretation of God’s law, Jesus calls his followers to love their enemies (even the Romans!), and to express that love in concrete ways such as prayer, greetings and service. Against everything that is natural to the human heart, Jesus calls his followers to live a counter cultural ethic of love, working for the good of those who hate and even oppress them.
The reason for this? Because, Jesus says, this reflects the heart of God. Jesus gives an example of how we see God’s love expressed in creation, as God indiscriminately showers his love on all people, whether good or bad. In the same way, Jesus says, shower your own indiscriminate love on all people, especially those that you are most inclined to despise.
This is probably the most difficult of all the commands Jesus has given us. And yet it may be the most important, not only for ourselves but for the sake of our broken world. Truly this is only possible with his supernatural help, as we are driven back to our need for mercy and confess our poverty of spirit (Matthew 5:3).
As you prepare for worship, consider the following:
What do you think Jesus means by “loving” our enemies? Does he mean to feel good feelings toward them? To approve of their actions? How might we love someone if we don’t like them?
Who are your enemies? Think of the people that you most dislike, that make you the most upset, the people that have hurt you, offended you, or who make you angry? Hold this person or people in your mind. What might it mean to love them in the way that Jesus commands?
Dr Martin Luther King said that this command of Jesus “is an absolute necessity for the survival of our civilization.” What do you think he meant by that? How could Christians be salt and light in our society right now by keeping this command of Jesus?
Take some time to pray for your enemies, as Jesus instructed us.
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.”