Luke 6:27-38 – Love your
enemies
For the most part Christians are ordinary people. As
Paul has said, not many of us are wise or wealthy. We are plain, simple people
with faith and love for God in Christ. But, Christ calls us ordinary people to
do extraordinary things. He expects more of us than non-believers. What are we
doing more than others? The extraordinary things Christians do is love those
who do not love them (v.32), they help those who will not help them, (v.33)
they lend to those who do not repay. (v.34)
After Jesus had called the Twelve He began to teach
them and the crowds about the Kingdom of God. The portion of the Gospel lesson
for this week is from what some have called Jesus’ “Sermon on the Plain.”
The larger context in Luke is Jesus’ ministry in
Galilee, which begins in 4:14 and ends in 9:9. This lesson, more than any
other, separates Jesus and His teachings from the world. In the “Beatitudes”
just prior to this lesson, Jesus sets the tone of reversal of order He brings:
The poor, the hunger, the weeping, the persecuted, are all blessed. Woe is
pronounced upon the right, the full, the happy and the popular.
Vv.27-28 “Keep on loving.” The love of God (agape
love) is a selfless love, as God loves you. “Love your enemies” is unique to Christ and beyond sinful man’s
ability to do so.
V.29 “Turn the other cheek.” The disciple is
not to flow the law of retaliation, but in love patiently endure evil. This
extends even to our possessions.
V.30 Agape
love always gives without strings attached. What a blow to the individual
rights movement today!
Vv.32-34 Most
people have an ethic based on common sense with a “give and take” attitude. Jesus’ followers must take the next step
and base their ethic on this love which comes from God. This is a curb to our
present day selfish morality.
V. 35 Agape
love has no earthly reward. The reward comes from God and is promised to be
great. “Sons of the Most High” chose
as God’s children, we receive eternal life with God as our only “reward.” It is only because God is kind
and merciful that we have such high hopes.
V.37 On the
basis of God’s mercy Jesus forbids unjust and hypocritical judging and
condemning of others.
V.38 He, who
gives and forgives sparingly, receives sparingly. God’s gift of mercy comes
most freely to those who freely pass it on to others.
[1] Luther’s Seal, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[2] Collect for Humility, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
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