When Jesus was teaching the multitudes on a side of a mountain, which is commonly known as the Sermon on the Mount, one of the many topics that Jesus taught on was “Love your enemies”. It is the last of the four other teachings in chapter five that Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said” or “It has been said”.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the right- eous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collec- tors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48 NIV,
The topic, “’Love your neighbor” was a subject that most who were present knew about, in fact when Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said…”, He was bringing his listeners to a fa- miliar starting point, the Old Testament, “…love your neighbor as yourself.” Leviticus 19:18. But Jesus included in the second half of that same sentence something his listeners were also very familiar with which is not found in the Old Testament, “hate your enemy.” Some Bible commentators believe that it was a common colloquialism of the time that people added to scripture. There is a disposition and an expected expressed attitude that is accepted by society with many colloquialisms used, and that is the case here, everyone knew you hated your enemy, who did not have their enemy? However, that was the point Jesus is mak- ing, in God’s kingdom a person who loves God does not think or act like the world does. In most instances, it is usually the opposite or something totally unexpected such as what Jesus said in, Matthew 5:39 NIV, 39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. Please continue to read verses 40-42.
The masterful teacher that Jesus was, used the well-known colloquialism as the basis of His teaching emphasizing two points never taught by the Pharisees nor even practiced in secular soci- ety, “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
What did Jesus mean by “enemy”? Who was that person in the minds of those who were listening? Was it the Romans who were the unwelcome occupiers of Israel? Was it the Samaritans, gentiles, or was it the tax–collectors? Tax collectors – These were some of the most hated people in Israel. They were local Jewish men employed by the Romans. Because they worked for Rome and often demanded unreasonable payments, Jews regarded tax collec- tors as traitors and as members of the lowest level of society.
Perhaps the Jews who were listening to Jesus’ teaching could easily identify who they considered their enemy, but what about us today, who do you consider your enemy?
Enemy – One who feels disgust toward or opposes the inter- ests of another, a foe, somebody who hates or seeks to injure somebody or harm something.
I am sure as a Christian who loves God you do not hate anyone or are looking to punch someone the first opportunity you get. But what about feeling hatred toward someone or a group with a differing point of view than what is Biblical? Or, what about when someone is argumentative and really being obstinate that you as a Christian are wrong, a bigot and are intolerant because you believe what the Bible says about a certain topic. Can this person be your enemy? Did you ever wonder why some Christians believe they need to become angry to express their Biblical point of view about a topic they are disagreeing with someone about, especially on so- cial media? Is it because they are not following Jesus’ advice in Matthew 5:43-44?
Some Christians might not outwardly admit that those who they disagree with are their enemy but others who are witnessing their attitude or reading what they write sure would think so.
The worldly way of reacting to others who have differing points of view is that they are your enemy and you must treat them as such. Jesus in Matthew 5:44 clearly states that yes we will have “enemies” but He continues to tell us how we are to treat and deal with them, which reflects to whom we are submit- ting our hearts to and who we know is in control-God.
Jesus tells us two things what we are to do concerning our enemies. First, “Love (our) your enemies”. What does that look like? The apostle Paul in Romans 12:17-21 give us some practi- cal advice and examples.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hun- gry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
The second and most powerful thing Jesus tells us what we are to do in verse 44 is “pray for those who persecute you”. When we pray, we are surrendering our wills to God. We are ac- knowledging that our perception about the matter is NOT always correct and complete. When we pray we are submitting and seek- ing God to treat the unseen cause and not just the symptoms of the issue. When we pray we are applying the prescription of action that Jesus teaches us in Matthew 6:10, your kingdom come (in this situation), your will be done (with this person and or situation) on earth as it is in heaven.
Paul in 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 gives us two reasons why we are to pray for our enemies. 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. Prayer is one of these weapons at our disposal.
The second reason we are to “pray for those who persecute you (us)”, is we understand who is our true enemy and where (realm) the battle is. Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
When we “love” and “pray” for those who are in opposi- tion to a Biblical position on a certain topic and or are even openly in disagreement with us, the results will be as Jesus says in Matthew 5:45, In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. NLT
Pastor John
