(The following is an encore Fragment. Although written and published some time ago, I hope that it refreshes your soul today.)
I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you… For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? (Matthew 5:44, 46)
I love my friends. In fact, recently I spent time with some of my closest and most faithful friends… many of whom are family as well. These individuals are loyal, wise, and trusted. They know my weaknesses and strengths. They know how to pick me up when I’m down, and how to celebrate with me as well. It is a treasure to have them as a part of my life.
As Jesus approached the halfway point in His most profound sermon, He started to drastically up the stakes for those who desired to follow Him. In doing so, He called His followers to distinguish themselves in powerful and provocative ways.
One portion of that discourse focused on those that I love… you know, the very people that I just described. Jesus doesn’t discount or discourage my love for these important people in my life; He simply puts this love in context.
Real love, Jesus-style love, expands the breadth of love. It understands that embracing and being embraced by those I find easily lovable is only the preface to a landmark classic on love.
So Jesus does what Jesus alone can do… He raises the bar to levels only achievable when He is firmly in the mix. His admonition comes in the first verse above. And He delivered this word just moments after He had sucked the life out of the human tendency to retaliate. “If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also;” “let him have your cloak as well;” “go with him two miles” (5:39-41).
And so Jesus does it again. He sets a standard that defies the inclination of my soul, and in doing so He proclaims: “With God all things are possible” (19:26).
The life of Jesus reflected and resolved the disconnects of our human nature with our divine appointments. Jesus did it, and He instructed us to follow His lead.
And so we pray for, sacrifice for, work for, weep over, laugh with our enemies. When we do, we show the world what Jesus is all about.
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