Luke 6:27-38 (NRSV)
Read Luke 6:27-38 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. Verse 32"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. Verse 33If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. Verse 34If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. Verse 35But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Verse 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Verse 37"Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; Verse 38give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back."
Devotion
“Where is the honor in only showing love to the ones who do the same for you? Why should you be given respect for doing good to the ones who do you good, or for lending only to the ones who can repay you? Even tribal tax collectors and outcasts do these things. Instead, show love and respect to your enemies, help them when they are in need without asking them to repay you.” (32-35, First Nations Version: An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament by Terry M. Wildman)
Love is a verb. Did David love Saul? Saul and his warriors pursued David and his merry band into the wilderness of Engedi. Nature called. Saul stopped to relieve himself in a cave near the sheepfolds. Foolish move. The shepherd boy knew those caves, where David and his band were hidden. Perhaps David heard Saul break wind? David snuck up behind Saul as he was doing his business, took his knife, and cut off a corner of Saul’s cloak (1 Samuel 26).
The Plains Indians call that “counting coup.” Touching an enemy in battle and escaping without harming oneself—or one’s enemy. Natives serve in the US Military at a higher rate than any other ethnic group. Some still “count coup,” like Joe Medicine Crow did during World War II.
How much harder is it to touch an enemy’s heart, and be disarmed enough to let that enemy touch me? Love is a verb.
Prayer
Open my heart, Lord. I want to see Jesus. I want to see Jesus through the eyes—and heart—of my enemy. Amen.
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