I was once studying the Gospel of Matthew with a Chinese student. When we came to Jesus’ command on how Christians are to love, he told me he didn’t understand it. I checked his vocabulary and reading comprehension, which seemed fine. I asked him to summarize the passage, which he did accurately. “What’s the problem?” I asked.
“It’s impossible!” he exclaimed. “No one can love their enemies!”
Exactly. Jesus’ command should shock us all. The normal human reaction might be to love our own people but hate our enemies. The greatest commandment is to love God and love our neighbor. But Jesus said to love our enemies as well—even to pray for those who persecute us (vv. 43–44). This did not fit the expectations of those looking for a Messiah to liberate them from the Romans—nor does it fit the way we typically live today.
The reason for Jesus’ command is “that you may be children of your Father in heaven” (v. 45). In other words, this is what it means to be a citizen of the kingdom of God. If we love those who love us, there’s nothing special about that. We are no better than a tax collector or a pagan (vv. 46–47). Jesus deepens the command, saying: “Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:35–36; Matt. 5:7).
Jesus, of course, modeled His own teaching. While dying on the cross, betrayed and forsaken, He prayed for His enemies and forgave them (Luke 23:34). The first martyr, Stephen, imitated Christ’s example and did the same (Acts 7:60).
Go Deeper
How would following Jesus’ teaching about love change the way we live? Who are your “enemies,” and how can you love them?
Pray with Us
Father, the shocking command to love our enemies is impossible without Your Spirit. Please fill us with this impossible love for the difficult people in our lives.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?Matthew 5:46
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