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by Sandy Shaw
When we come to Matthew Chapter 5 and verse 43Jesus teaches his disciples, “Love your enemies”, but what does this really mean? Will we ever understand it and will we ever be able to put these commanding words of Jesus Christ into practice?
1 - Love your enemies. What does Jesus mean? It is the word ‘agape’. It describes a particular kind of love – a love for those who do not love us – for those who do not deserve our love – it is an unconditional love – it is the love God has for the sinner.
We are not to wait for our enemy to come grovelling to us – or become nice – that may never happen. We are not just to love our neighbour but our enemy.
2 - This love is positive. It is not just the absence of malice. It is a love which will take the initiative and show kindness – it has to – and it does not look for gratitude or reciprocation.
It is persistent – it keeps on loving – just as God’s love keeps on loving.
It has nothing to with feelings. It has nothing to do with how we are feeling. It has nothing to do with our emotions.
It describes having done something – God having sent Jesus.
The love falls on the righteous and the unrighteous just like the sun and the rain.
It is a love which acts. A letter may need to be written – a telephone call may need to be made – a small act of kindness needs to be done. We are not to cut dead our enemy.
3 – This is the love we have been shown. We are to be true sons and show the family likeness and love with the love of Jesus.
We were once God’s enemies, until Jesus Christ came and invaded our lives! While we were yet sinner Christ died for us.
This is what it means – to be like Christ – nailed to a Cross – a mocking crown – his back shredded – and saying “Father, forgive them” – the soldiers – the Pharisees – those who mocked – the disciples who deserted.
We are not asked to do anything Jesus Christ has not done before us. That is why we can follow Him and observe how He responded and reacted.
He loved His enemies to the death and Jesus calls you and me to go that way.
We are called to go far beyond human selfishness and hatred.
Be different from the tax collectors and the pagans. Be complete.
We are to care for people who do not care much about us. That has motivated and launched mission!
There is a progression and growth in this Chapter – much of which I have been so unaware.
We are being called to go far beyond anything that had been previously taught.
Can we sum up this long section in Mathew Chapter 5?
Revenge is the way of the world – but Jesus teaches his disciples a radically different way to live. This is a well known section of what is called The Sermon on the Mount, and it is central to the life and teaching of Jesus. Did you notice that this is the first time ‘love’ has been mentioned?
This teaching was not hypothetical. These disciples would soon be maligned, criticised, insulted, mocked, persecuted and imprisoned. Some were flogged and killed.
We are to love our enemies by our words – Bless those who curse you. It is not easy to reply to insults with compliments.
We are to love our enemies by our deeds – Do good to those who hate you.
We are to love our enemies by praying for them.
Hate multiplies hate – it leads to quarrelling – unkindness – misery – warfare.
Hate is self-destructive – it twists and distorts our mind and personality.
Hatred never turns an enemy into a friend.
Jesus explains that to love our enemies is to follow Him and to imitate our Father in heaven. Love marks us out from other people in the world.
Jesus demonstrated His love – supremely in His death. He was abused, beaten, tortured, illegally tried and crucified. With dignity, Jesus faced all that and prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
Verse 48 – be perfect – or complete – fully developed – maturing and matured.
Jesus did not want His disciples to settle for second best.
There are people who have been stung and the sting is still sore, and that is why Jesus says, “Follow Me”.
And – Jesus will love our enemies through us! Can we believe that?
We need to receive the love of God so that we can love with the love of God those who hate us. Jesus is risen and alive, and at the Father’s right hand, He prays for us. Do we believe and understand the significance of that!
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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