PASSAGE FOR THE DAY:
27 “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. 31 Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. 32 If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”(Luke 6:27-36, NASB)
REFLECTIONS:
Oh my, when I first began praying over the direction for this devotion I felt a degree of defeat. I don’t think I’m alone when it comes to admitting that this particular scripture presents a challenge that humbles me more times than I can count.
Then…
Things changed on Monday afternoon. Our nation changed. Social media went full tilt trying to find loved ones. Some people used the same venue to slam certain cultural groups, quickly hurling accusations, and trying to find someone to blame for the bombings at the Boston Marathon.
The focus of this devotion shifted. Life shifts. Christ is our rock and redeemer of messy, awful things in life. He does not shift. Thank you God for giving us Jesus.
Did you read the first phrase “But I say to you who hear”? The Greek translation for “hear” is “to listen.” This “listen” is different than our “hear.” To listen indicates involvement and a meaningful absorption of the words or sound given. 1 Corinthians 2:12-14 teaches us about receiving the Spirit who is from God that we might know the things freely given to us by God. And, that the natural man will not understand the things of the Spirit of God.
So, who was Jesus speaking to in this Sermon on the Mount? A multitude of people and some probably traveled by foot for three or four days just to have a chance to listen to and be in the presence of this new teacher. Pharisees, scribes and other synagogue leaders were in the midst. Jesus followers, some maybe because they were curious, as well as true disciples were there. Receivers of Christ’s miracles were present. They already knew what was in store for the rest of the people gathered.
Next “love your enemies.” The “love” is agape. The “love” is a command and it is active not in the past tense or something to think about, it is a do. From what I can figure this love does something, it is separate from how we might feel, but hopefully that comes along as well. “Enemy” Webster defines enemy as a person who hates, opposes, or fosters harmful designs against another; hostile opponent, an opposing military force.
Here’s the shift… Lord, how can I love an enemy I don’t know? What is it that my one prayer can do for someone or a hostile group that wants to harm others—or better yet potentially harm people I love that live, work, play and are being educated in Boston on this very day? Even one that I’ve known since birth that is running the Boston Marathon. (She finished 30 minutes before the first bomb exploded and although shaken, is fine).
The entire event is perplexing and something that most of us will never completely understand nor even be able to get our minds wrapped around the attitude of intentionally harming someone.
So, the next shift, “do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you.” This isn’t really something that I dwell on, but it made me think… are there people that really hate me? Why do they act that way towards me or say those things if they don’t hate me? I’m not in your head right now, but I suggest to you these are not the things to think on (according to Philippians 4:8—Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think on these things).
Christ does tell us, quite succinctly, to bless those against us. Christ is not telling us to lie, undermine, be vengeful, gossip or slander those against us.
We are to lift up in prayer, those who are against us. That’s the last phrase of our short, little (BIG) two verses for today, “pray for those who mistreat you.”
Have you prayed for those who mistreat you? It is hard. Some of the sweetest healing the Lord has given me has been after praying for my earthly father. I will tell you those were some of the most difficult, wrenching prayers to ever come from my soul. The blessing that I received after these prayers was and continues to be immense and I still smile to this day at the way the Lord made it known to me that I am loved by our gracious heavenly father.
CALL TO ACTION:
LISTEN, LOVE, DO GOOD, BLESS and PRAY. Could this be the call to action towards everyone in my life, particularly in the times when things shift?
PRAYER:
God, I don’t even know how to begin big scale prayers for enemies I don’t even know. You Lord know the hurt in our world all too well. I’m sorry Lord for the times I add to that, I ask Your forgiveness. Please speak to this child in such a way not only to hear you, but to also receive Your Spirit so that I can listen and understand. God, You are the only one that can bring redemption to messy awful things in life.
WHO AM I?
The annual kite festival isn’t the little kid’s event that we remember from 20 years ago. It is relaxing, fun and a time to just float and enjoy the quirky place we live our lives. <3 Gayle Norris
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