From Luke 6-7
Jesus commands his people to love, bless, pray, submit, and give. The people of this world do good to those who love and do good to them. Jesus’ followers are too go the extra mile. They are to do these to all people and especially their enemies, their persecutors, those who have stolen from them. Jesus commands his people to do it because that is how God in his grace and mercy treats people who don’t deserve it.
This post is part of my bible in a year series.
Passage and Comments
Jesus is approached by a great multitude of his disciples and other people from all over the nation. Many are coming to him to be healed. When he looks upon his disciples he teaches them about the kingdom of God pronouncing blessings on the poor, hungry, mourning and the hated. He pronounces woes on the rich, well fed, those who laugh and those who are well spoken of (Lk 6.17-26).
In all Jesus unexpectedly reverses the tables, cutting the grain against the way people normally think.
27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, (Lk 6:27)
Jesus speaks to those who ‘hear’. I’m reminded again of the Shema. “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.” (Dt 6.4) Those who hear are the true Israel.
Jesus instructs his people to love their enemies. Love is an action.
This is the absolute reverse of how people normally behave or even want to do. Jesus calls his people to be radically different to those of the world around them.
28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. (Lk 6:28)
Blessing and curses were applied to Israel in the covenant. If they obeyed they were blessed by God. If they rebelled they were cursed. Jesus instructs his people to reverse this trend. They are instructed to bless and pray for those who mistreat them.
Its hard to sincerely pray for the wellbeing of those who curse and abuse you. Yet Jesus commands his people to do just this.
29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. (Lk 6:29-30)
Jesus wants his followers to submit to those who strike them. To turn the other cheek. To forgive and give them another chance. The same applies to those who have not returned our possessions.
God’s people should continue to give to those who do not deserve it.
31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. (Lk 6:31)
Jesus classic teaching that sums up so much of what he commands his followers to do. The command gets his people to reflect on what they need and how they would like to be treated and apply this same standard to how they treat others.
In these last few verses Jesus explains one reason why he expects his people to do these unexpected things.
| 32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit 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 benefit is that to you? | For even sinners do the same. |
| 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? | Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. (Lk 6:32–34) |
I’ve put the passage in a table to show the repeated contrast Jesus is setting up between how he wants his people to behave and how sinners behave.
God’s people are not assumed to be sinners, they are the righteous.
Jesus expects his people to go the extra mile. To do things above and beyond what is normal in this world. Jesus is saying its normal for people to love those who love them. Jesus wants his followers to love those who curse and abuse them. They are meant to be better than this. Jesus is saying its normal to do good in return to those who have done good to them. Even sinners do this. What more is there to do but to do good to those who don’t deserve it. To lend to those who no one will lend.
If they do this, people will take notice. They might think they are crazy. If they do this, people will know they are Jesus people. They might realise they are a forgiven people.
Jesus further explains why his people are to behave this way.
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 evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. (Lk 6:35-36)
Jesus calls his people to do it because the LORD is watching and will reward them.
Jesus calls his people to do it because this is what the sons of the Most High God do.
Above all, Jesus calls his people to do this because this is how God treats all people. Yes you and me.
This is nothing but grace, grace, grace. God’s people are meant to treat others the way God has treated them. With undeserved grace, second chances and kindness,
About Jesus
Jesus commands his people to love, bless, pray, submit, and give. The people of this world do good to those who love and do good to them. Jesus’ followers are too go the extra mile. They are to do these to all people and especially their enemies, their persecutors, those who have stolen from them. Jesus commands his people to do it because that is how God in his grace and mercy treats people who don’t deserve it.
Copyright © Joshua Washington and thescripturesays, 2015. All Rights Reserved.
