Matthew 5:43-48
We come today to the last of the six comparisons Jesus made between the Law of Moses and the standards of His kingdom. The Law required God’s people to love their neighbours as themselves (Leviticus 19:18), but Jesus listeners had been taught, “You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy”. Over the centuries, the religious leaders had narrowed the definition of “neighbour” to mean those of the same nationality and religion and most Jews despised people who were not descended from Abraham, or did not obey the Law. In their culture, love was reserved for people whom it was easy to love and who would return that love.
Once again, the standard Jesus set for His followers must have shocked those who heard Him speak. He told them to “love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you”. He would go on later to tell the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) which made the point that everyone – whether rich or poor, family or foreigner, good or bad, loving or hateful – is our neighbour and, therefore, is to be loved. Just as God bestows His love on all people without discrimination, so should those who are part of His kingdom. Even ungodly people show love to those who love them, but those who are truly part of God’s family will love like He does. We are called to reflect His character to the world.
The kind of love Jesus spoke of is described by the Greek word agape. It is a love that is derived from God the Father, which is perfectly displayed in the Person of Jesus, and is a fruit of the Holy Spirit who dwells within believers. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 describes it as selfless, longsuffering and enduring; a love that always wants the best for other people and seeks to build them up. The fact that Jesus commanded us to do this tells us that this love is not an emotional response but a decision we make.
In Roman 12:9-21 Paul tells us more about what this love looks like in practice. He says that it is sincere and genuinely respectful to all people, regardless of their status in life. It sees all men as brothers and is kind, hospitable and generous. It rejoices with those who see success and sorrows with those who grieve. A person who loves like this does everything they can to live peaceably with others, praying blessing on those who hurt them and forgiving rather than taking revenge.
This is a kind of love the world never sees. Sadly, I think that many Christians would have to agree that they rarely see it in the church either. Yet everyone in our world is looking for love. Maybe unbelievers would take our message more seriously if we chose to love people like this?
John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Prayer
Father God,
Once more I see that You are calling me to live by Your Spirit rather than according to my natural desires and thoughts. I can see how powerful it is to love people like You do but I know that I cannot do it in my own strength. Please help me to see the people around me the way You do, to love those I find difficult and unlovely and to extend to them the same kindness and grace that You have shown me.
Amen.
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