“But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” (Luke 6:27) Jesus taught us to love everyone, even those who might not love us. If we are honest, we often barely listen to those we disagree with, much less love our enemies. Jesus must be sad at how hard our hearts have become.
Loving Lord, remind us of what the commandment means. Let us listen to those we have issues with to honestly hear their position, and to respond in love even if we don’t agree. May we be Your body on earth and show the world how we are to treat one another. Let Your peace be with us. Amen.
The blessings we have been promised are often not what we expect. Jesus came to be our Savior and show us the way to salvation, but no one expected the humble teacher who would call us to share His work. Our blessings are sure and certain, but they come in God’s time, according to His plan.
Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so much that You are willing to do the unexpected, to show us Your power and glory through acts of selfless kindness. May we return Your love in the same way You share it, giving generously without considering the cost. Amen.
“Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.” (Luke 6:22)
It doesn’t sound like a blessing, does it? Hated, excluded, insulted…why would anyone want to be “blessed” like that? The Master tells it like it is – no secrets, no sugar-coating. Jesus calls us to do what He does and to endure what He endures as well. He wants us to know that the way will not be easy, that following Him is almost certain to be costly and difficult in an earthly sense.
This scripture passage comes to us from Luke’s gospel (6:17-26) and most translations sub-title it “The Sermon on the Plain”. In Matthew’s gospel (5:1-12) it is called “The Sermon on the Mount” and the first section containing this teaching is known as “The Beatitudes”, meaning blessings. When I was a child, I mistook these for the “Be Attitudes”, thinking that we should “be” like this. Maybe that wasn’t such a bad interpretation – if we were in fact like this we’d be much closer to following the path Jesus called us to be on with Him.
Jesus called us all to be part of what He is doing in the world, and taught that we could expect the same type of opposition He faced when we share His story and His love. It may not be easy, but it is the mission we have been given – to make disciples of all the earth.
Loving Lord, You have asked us to be Your partners in the saving work You came to do. Make us willing servants, ready to do the things necessary to bring your kingdom here. Help us to be faithful and strong through difficult times, loving even those who oppose us. Amen.
“Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man.” (Luke 6:22) Jesus told us there would be opposition to His Word, and difficulty for those who follow Him, but He told us to take up our crosses just the same.
Wise and wonderful God, we come into Your presence humbly, knowing that we have fallen woefully short of what You expect of us. You have given us amazing gifts in Your world. Help us to use them for the good of our neighbors and to Your glory. Make us strong in Your eternal love.
God gifted us each differently for His purpose, but we are all loved equally, regardless of what we are called to do. Loving Lord, bless the work You send us to do today. May we show the world Your love through our daily lives, sharing the joy of salvation with all we encounter.
Jesus taught that we are all God’s children, regardless of our talents, position or status. We must see each other for who we are – brothers and sisters in Christ, heirs to His kingdom, and called to be His servants. He made us responsible for sharing His love with all the world.
Jesus has promised blessings in His kingdom for those that keep His commandments and share His love with others. Lord of all, we come to You with our cares and burdens. Fill us with Your holy spirit that we may go into the world to spread the Good News of Your love and salvation.
Jesus tells us how it should be if we would only listen. He teaches us that love for each other is the way to His kingdom. It is easy to hear the words and not heed them, living for ourselves rather than for Him. Loving Lord, help us to put Your commands into action in our lives.
When Jesus calls us, we often claim we are unworthy. In fact we are, sinful and unable to save ourselves. Jesus knows this, but He calls us just the same, making us part of His work to save us and the world. Thank You Lord for not giving up on us, for bringing us into Your grace.
