Devotion:
Read Matthew 5:43-48.
It is one of those teachings from Jesus that is easy to dismiss as being almost impossible. “I just can’t do that; I can’t love my enemies,” you might think. It is part of what is known as “The Sermon On The Mount” in chapters 5-7 of this Gospel. That whole section contains challenging lessons.
I sometimes call this one the “top level” of the love of God. It is the “high bar” for which we are to be aiming (think pole vault or high jump). Jesus reminds us that it is easy to love those who love you. Everybody does that. As in all of his teaching, he is calling his followers to something beyond the usual ways of this world. He is calling us to do something we cannot do on our own. It is another situation where we need a higher power to give us the power to go beyond what we think we can do.
Loving an enemy does not mean you suddenly accept all of their ways or thinking. You can still fully disagree with someone and see them as your enemy on some issue or cause, while at the same time being willing to do anything for them and help them any way you can. You want the best for them as much as you do for yourself. Jesus disagreed with many religious leaders and saw them as the enemy of what he was seeking to do in the world. But he was willing to die for them just as he did for everybody else.
As with many issues in life, this is about moving in the right direction, not necessarily having arrived yet. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, spoke of “striving for perfection” in this love of God. With the Holy Spirit providing the power we need to keep moving in that direction, may we never stop striving to live the love of God toward others; even our enemies.
Personal Worship Option:
Consider this prayer: God of love, help me see each person I encounter as you see them. Through Christ, Amen.
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