Love Your Enemies - Easter 2024
Matthew 5:43-48 NLT
[43] “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. [44] But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! [45] In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. [46] If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. [47] If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. [48] But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Jesus taught a radical and uncommon enemy love
Jesus is pulling teachings from Leviticus. Religious leaders had been teaching people to love their neighbors and hate their enemies. By neighbor, they meant people that were the same:
- religiously
- racially
- politically
- ideologically
There are many Greek words for love. Jesus chooses the word Agape.
Agape love is marked by selflessness. It is unconditional. A commitment. Often requires personal sacrifice and acts of kindness.
Jesus taught a practical and selfless enemy love
how do we love our enemies?
Pray for them
Matthew 5:44 NLT
[44] But I say, love your enemies! *Pray for those who persecute you! *
Intercessory prayer is an expression of love we have for others, but is also a way to grow our love for them.
Do good to them
Matthew 5:45 NLT
[45] In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.
Both the evil and the good get the gracious gifts of God. Like sun and rain.
Romans 12:17-21 NLT
[17] Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. [18] Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. [19] Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. [20] Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” [21] Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
Greet them
Matthew 5:47 NLT
[47] If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.
Recognize them, speak to them, and acknowledge them.
What if we got to know them?
Through violence you may murder the hater, but you will not murder the hate. Only light can drive out darkness.
Matthew 5:48 NLT
[48] But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Jesus taught an almost impossible and supernatural kind of enemy love.
The sermon Jesus taught on the Mount was followed by the sermon he demonstrated on the Mount.
Easter is Jesus demonstrating God's radical and uncommon enemy love toward us.
Romans 5:6-8 NLT
[6] When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. [7] Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. [8] But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
You have to see yourself as a player in the sermon that Jesus demonstrates on the Mount.
Only loved enemies will have the why and the how to love their enemies. We are loved enemies, loved by God.