bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Luke 6:28 NABRE
The quoted verse is a verse from the speech Jesus gave called the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus spoke to those listening, first he shares the “blessings” a main aspect of the teaching then Jesus also speaks about certain imperatives. Jesus addresses all those who hear and as with the beatitudes His commands would unsettle those listening. He began with the command to “love your enemies“. There were those who expected Jesus to lead a revolt against their oppressors, the Romans, but instead Jesus is telling everyone they have to love the Romans. This would have been very difficult to hear, those listening may have lost family members to the Romans in earlier revolts, how could they love the people who killed their fathers and grandfathers? This was and remains a difficult message. Jesus is interpreting the command of Moses to love your neighbor by telling them to love more than their neighbors, to love their enemies as well (see Leviticus 19:18.) Jesus would later give an example of how to love in the story of the “Good Samaritan” (see Luke 10:25-37.) In the quoted verse Jesus gives specific examples of what it means to love enemies, we are to do good, to bless and to pray for those who hate us, curse us and mistreat us. In the end Jesus Himself will be a witness to this teaching as He prays for those who crucify Him (see Luke 23:34.) The early Christians will follow Jesus example and this will be a primary reason for the Jesus movement to grow.
We seem to be a country of people with many enemies, our politics is a means to label and dislike anyone not like us. Imagine trying to love someone who is opposite of your political aspirations. This is Jesus’ imperative.
Can you love those you don’t like? Are you an example of love?
We seem to be a country of people with many enemies, our politics is a means to label and dislike anyone not like us. Imagine trying to love someone who is opposite of your political aspirations. This is Jesus’ imperative. Click To Tweet#bible’#godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #love #enemy #Luke #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #pray #prayer #goodnews #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways