You have heard that it was said, "Love your neighbor and hate your enemies...
But I say to you, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you..."
I could be wrong, but I don't remember anywhere in the Old Testament where followers of God were called to hate their enemies. Do you?
I wonder how that tradition began.
But regardless of the normalcy of the hate we hold for enemies in our world, Jesus doesn't want us to get comfortable with hate. Instead we are called to love and pray for our enemies.
Perhaps you have a hard time thinking of your enemies. Perhaps you believe Christians shouldn't have enemies.
But Jesus had enemies...and he served them.
This picture has captured my imagination for several years now.
What would it look like to serve our enemies on a global scale?
But likely a more important question is: What would it look like to serve our enemies on a daily, personal scale?
International peace is unlikely without personal peace in our own lives.
As you dwell in Matthew 5:43-48, here are a few questions to consider and comment on:
1) Who are your enemies? Do you have any? Who considers you to be an enemy?
2) How might the Old Testament command to love your neighbor have turned into a saying that allowed hate for enemies?
3) What feelings do you have about the picture above?
4) How does your baptism change your outlook toward your enemies?
5) What are some practical ways we can learn to love our enemies?
6) What are some ways that Christians (those committed to putting the kingdom on display) might seek to implement this passage in 2012?
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