I’m working on a sermon series for later in the year or early in 2017 titled “Did Jesus Really Say That?” As a result, I’ve been reading through the gospels, trying to listen to the teachings of our Lord in a fresh and new way. This morning I was struck by the blunt reality of the sermon on the mount. Jesus proclaims, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…”
I reread it. I reviewed his words in my Greek New Testament. I looked up definitions for the words for neighbor and enemy. I was looking for loopholes. I was hoping I could find something that would indicate Jesus wasn’t using the word “love” (agape) in the same way we might do so.
I could not find any way out of it. It appears he really meant what he said. In the same sermon there were instructions to turn the other cheek if someone strikes you, to give away your extra coat if someone needs it and to work for peace. There is also a note about not praying in public but instead go into your room and shut the door (finally an instruction I know I can follow!).
Honestly, I don’t know how we are to love our enemies. When I play in a pick up basketball game (yes I still play – I’m slow but I can’t jump) if I get shoved by a defender my immediate thought is retaliation. If I get cut off in traffic I want to blow my horn and give the guy a piece of my mind. I know these are silly illustrations but I mention them as a way of demonstrating how difficult Jesus’ teaching is in the face of real enemies like those who want to attack the United States.
There are no easy answers to this hard and demanding word. There is no way I am going to try and solve this issue in a 400-word blog. Theologian Miroslav Volf reminds us, “Christians can legitimately dispute how they should love their enemies but not whether they should love them.” I agree. Rather than trying to rationalize my way around Jesus’ mandate, I’m going to read his words again. And again. I have made a commitment to read the sermon on the mount every day between now and the beginning of Lent as a form of prayer.
At the end of each reading I will ask, “Lord, help me, your servant, live these words in my life.” There are no easy answers but there is no denying the clarity of Jesus’ mandate.
Grace and peace to you,
