Our scripture this morning is Matthew 5:43-45.
You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Jesus teaches the true meaning of the Law rather than our faulty human interpretation. In the Sermon on the Mount He challenges our lack of understanding and explains God’s intention for the guidance we receive. Unfortunately, we tend follow the laws we like (often using them as weapons) and ignore or modify those we don’t.
Logic says if something is true, then the opposite is also true (love neighbor, hate enemy). Jesus teaches that everyone is our neighbor (Luke 10:29-37) and points out that what we have “heard” is not the original statement. Exodus 23:4-5 tells us help those who hate you and Leviticus 19:18 states specifically “love your neighbor” but there is no mention of hating enemies attached.
Jesus closes this passage with the observation that God doesn’t withhold His blessings from anyone (sun and rain on the righteous and unrighteous), and we are called to do the same. Our place in the kingdom as His beloved children requires us to love one another without regard to our human relationship. What matters is that God made us all, He loves us all, and wants us to do the same.
Loving Lord, You created us in Your image, but we don’t always live according to Your plan for us. Help us to see Your face in everyone we meet and truly love one another as You first loved us. Amen.
