Luke 6:27-31 (NRSV)
Read Luke 6:27-31 on biblegateway.com
Verse 27"But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, Verse 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. Verse 29If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Verse 30Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Verse 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Devotion
I have three children, ages 7, 10 and 13. I would like to say they get along, but to be honest, too often it feels like we live in a war zone. When things get out of hand, I try to gently remind them, “we don’t do that in this house.” Except that, clearly, we do. My children bicker, snipe and tattle. I lose my patience, threaten and yell. My reminders that “we’re all on the same family team” don't seem to make a difference.
Here Jesus exhorts the people to love your enemies, turn the other cheek, and pray for those who persecute you. It’s a call to act in a way that’s counter to what the world too often sees. It would be nice to think that members of God’s family don’t need this reminder. Except that, clearly, we do. Within the church we bicker and snipe and tattle, lose our patience and threaten and sometimes even yell.
We need these words of Jesus now more than ever. But more than that, we need Jesus to show us how to do them … and to forgive us when we don’t.
Prayer
Jesus, how am I supposed to love my enemies when some days it is all I can do just to love my friends? Help me be more like you in all of my relationships. Amen.