Can you imagine the way returning soldiers felt about their enemies after the Vietnam war? Many lost friends and family members during that conflict. Some were captured and tortured. It would have been very difficult for soldiers to forget the terrible things that happened to them. And it may still be difficult. But can you imagine telling one of those soldiers to love their enemies when they came back? That would be almost impossible. And yet that is what Jesus told His disciples to do. Why did Jesus say this?
- What does it say? (Luke 6:27-31)
But to you who are hearing I say, Love your enemies, do good to those who are hating you, speak well of those wishing you evil, pray for those who are harassing you, to the one who is striking you on the cheek offer also the other, and from the one taking away your outer garment you should not withhold your inner garment. Give to all who are asking you and from the one who is taking what is yours, do not demand back. And as you would like men to do to you, do to them likewise. - What does it mean?
Jesus wants us to hear Him (Luke 6:27).
After praying all night on a mountain and choosing the twelve disciples, Jesus found a large crowd of disciples and other people at the bottom of the mountain. Many were there to hear Him, but others were there to be healed. After healing many people, Jesus addressed several groups of people. He first looked at his disciples and blessed them. Secondly, He addressed those who were rich. Lastly, He addressed those who were hearing Him.
Whenever a crowd would gather around Him, there were those mostly concerned about being healed or delivered from demon possession. There were others who probably followed the crowd out of curiosity. Then there were those who had come to hear Him. The verses we are looking at were spoken to those who were hearing what He said. Jesus knew who these people were and addressed them in particular. He wanted them to hear what He was saying.
Jesus wants us to treat bad people with kindness (Luke 6:27-30).
In the bulk of these verses, Jesus tells us to do things that are not natural. When someone treats us badly, our first reaction may not be very kind. Revenge and a tit for a tat are what comes to mind naturally. But Jesus tells us to do the opposite. We are to treat bad people with kindness not revenge.
According to Jesus, this involves (1) loving our enemies, (2) doing good to those who are actively hating us, (3) speaking well of those wishing evil for us, (4) praying for those who harass us, (5) allowing someone to strike us twice, (6) giving more to a thief, and (7) giving to beggars without expecting anything back.
None of these actions make sense at first. If someone actively opposes, hates, curses, harasses, strikes or takes from you, what would you think best to do? You would drop into a karate stance and get ready to deal justice to the perpetrator. Isn’t that what we should do? Doing something different doesn’t make sense unless you remember who is speaking. It was God-in-the-flesh. He is the One who has the right to take revenge on the world but chooses to be patient. This is why Jesus tells us to follow in His footsteps. As we do, we will be like God.
Jesus wants us to treat bad people the way we want to be treated (Luke 6:31).
A final reason for following Jesus’ example is very practical. Jesus tells us to be kind to our enemies because we would want to be treated that way, too. How does that work with what He has said so far?
Would you want to be loved?
Would you want someone to do good to you?
Would you like someone to speak well of you?
Would you want to be prayed for?
Would you want to be spared from violence?
Would you want to be helped when in need?
Would you want to be forgiven a debt?
The answer to all of those questions is yes. We all would want someone to treat us with kindness and patience. Besides acting like Jesus, we have feelings and want to be treated this way. So, let this motivate you to be kind to the unworthy. - How does it apply?
Are you listening?
Jesus originally spoke these words to those who were hearing. All of the people could hear the words that Jesus said, but only those who were listening from the heart would respond well to what He said. So, the question is this. Are you hearing what Jesus said?
Are you willing?
When Jesus spoke about their enemies, I am sure that they had specific people in mind. It could have been Romans, Samaritans, or even unkind Jewish people they interacted with. Whatever the case may have been, they knew that they would need to change their thinking about the people who treated them poorly. Are you willing to do that?
Do you understand the reason?
Jesus wasn’t calling on them to never stand up for themselves. Do you remember when a soldier struck Jesus during His trial before the high priest? At that time, He took the blow but asked the reason for it (John 18:19-23). Geldenhuys sums it up well by saying that “all this should be viewed in the light of the general principle that there should be a constant endeavor, in a spirit of sincere love, to bring the guilty to repentance and to conquer evil by good.”1 Lenski adds that Jesus “asks us to show the evidence in our lives that the gospel blessings have been truly appropriated by us.”2
Jesus is calling you to reflect the patience of God toward sinners so that they will see Him in you. When they see your kindness and patience toward them, they will wonder why you responded in love instead of hate. Perhaps God will use you to point people away from their sinfulness toward Him. Do you understand that?
Conclusion
Loving your enemies is not an easy task. However, once you understand the purpose behind Jesus’ commands, it makes it easier to do. Take some time to remember what God has forgiven you of. Think about the way you used to react. Think about the change that He has made in your life. Then, consider again what Jesus tells us to do. Love your enemies as God loved you.
Bibliography
Geldenhuys, Norval, The Gospel of Luke, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1983.
Lenski, R. C. H., The Interpretation of St. Luke’s Gospel, Columbus: The Wartburg Press, 1951.
Martin, John A., “Luke” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary New Testament, USA: SP Publications, 1983.
Footnotes