Boseph's Blog

27 “But I say to you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

The lectionary inserts a phrase at the beginning that reads “Jesus said to his disciples” but his words begin with “But I say to you that hear”. It is important to note that Jesus is actually speaking to everyone that can hear. This also implies that these instructions, which are Luke’s rendition of the Beatitudes are not for a specific group of people, locked into a certain time. This is a lesson that applies to all, even those in our own day.

Jesus first says to “Love” your enemies the Greek word agapaō is used here. This is not the typical filial love of family and friends or the mutual appreciation between companions but the selfless love. Jesus then follows with what loving your enemies means, “Do good to those who hate you”. To love your enemies is will and do the good to and for them. This is difficult lesson in our own time but especially a difficult one for the Jews of Jesus’ time. This is somewhat of a new teaching, although charity was always to be expressed to your fellow Hebrew, the orphan, the widow, those in need, even the stranger. It was not extended towards outright enemies.

28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.

Blessings in exchange for curses and praying for your abusers seems counterintuitive but God’s thoughts are not our thoughts and he sends the rain on good and bad alike. Although this teaching seems like folly to our fallen human nature, that’s because within it is hiding the mysteries of God himself. God gives life to those who act in evil ways, we are to act as his children by extending that same patience from ourselves. God wills for all men to be saved, even those who do horrific harm and sin that would make us shudder but he still loves them and this teaching that we are to take on is a part of his Divine Condescension, He is inviting us to be like Him.

29 To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from him who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt.

Following the same pattern, if someone strikes your cheek, offer him the other one, if they steal from you, give them more of what you have. God cannot be wounded, and nothing can be taken from him. When understood correctly, this passage is God inviting us to be like Him. Yes we have physical bodies that makes this difficult but that is one small part of why the Incarnation of the Word happened. To show us that even He can endure this and still act the right way. It is possible even if our fallen nature pigeonholes us into thinking it is not.

30 Give to every one who begs from you; and of him who takes away your goods do not ask them again.

God answers the prayers of those who beg him and nobody, despite what they think, owns anything he has created. Regardless of what manmade rules imply such, they’re really His at the end of the day. Again this tough calling of giving to those who beg and letting go of what has been perceived to be as stolen from you is an invitation to be like God.

31 And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them.

The Golden Rule, very simply, treat others as you wish to be treated. Does not need much explanation but at the time, this was difficult for the ancients to understand, they had lived by the rule of eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. If someone steals they are to make good with those he has stolen from with interest. What seems like giving into to evil and like folly is again, to be like God.

32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.

34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

Jesus asks three rhetorical questions to make further his statement, illuminating the teaching as clearly as possible. If you only love those who love you, do good to those who do good to you and lend because you know you’re going to be paid back, you’re actually living by the standards of a much lesser person. Sinners and Gentiles do all these things but we are called to be Sons and Daughters of God, we are called to a higher standard because we are called to be like Him.

35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish.

Now Jesus summarises all these lessons by explaining that they will be rewarded, it will even be a great reward and they will also, as I have pointed out multiple times by now, clarifies that they will be “Sons of the Most High” because…He does all of these things. This is an invitation to be like God and as sons, we are heirs, the least we can do is try to be like Him.

36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

One of the most difficult lessons is to be merciful to others but God is merciful. When we do not extend mercy, we are breaking several rules, we are usurping the authority of God. He is merciful but we think we are above that and treat others without mercy. We do not forgive when we should even though God is will to forgive all. When we reject this teaching we place ourselves above God. We aren’t just breaking “one rule” that Jesus gave at some point, we are committing the sin that led the Evil One to where he is. We act like the devil, not God. Which would make us sons of his instead of God.