Love
for Enemies
“But I say to you that
listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.
If anyone strikes you
on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away
your coat do not withhold even your shirt.
Give to everyone who
begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for
them again.
Do to
others as you would have them do to you."
Judging Others
36 Be
merciful, just as your Father is merciful.37 “Do
not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will
not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven;
38 give, and it will be given to you. A
good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put
into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get
back.”
This passage features some of the most radical and
powerful words Jesus uttered. There are two themes here: the first
part of this passage (V27-36) talks about radical love--love in the
face of hatred. Who can show and live such love except God and yet,
rabbi Jesus seems to be expecting to find it among his disciples. In
the second part (V37-38) Jesus describes a non-judgmental attitude
that is no doubt a reflection of his own approach to life and
ministry.
Can you
recount a family story of how an enemy became a friend? Or perhaps a
person who made themselves vulnerable even after s/he was attacked?
Chances are that such responses are very rare. We may have plenty of
examples of retaliation and hatred for the "enemy." My wife has an
incredible WWII story from her grandfather who stood accused by the
German Army to have "conspired with the enemy" while stationed in
Norway. The accusation was based on the fact that he sang in the choir
of the local Lutheran Church where he was stationed.