Luke 6: 27-36 – Loving Our Enemies

Central Truth: Jesus calls us to live a life that is categorical different from what the world calls “normal.”.

“…Jesus offers what became known in the sixteenth century as the "golden rule": Do to others as you would have them do to you. The verse has Old Testament roots (Lev 19:18). In addition, numerous such ethical statements existed in ancient Jewish and Greek culture. Jesus' formulation of the rule, however, is the least self-focused. Jesus is not saying, "Do good deeds for others so they will return the favor." Instead he is calling for actions of love regardless of how the other responds. Nor is he saying, "Think of what you like, then do that for others." Rather, we are to be sensitive to the needs, feelings and concerns of others and seek to meet them. Sensitivity in love means listening and serving. This does not mean ignoring moral limits, as Jesus' own ministry makes clear, but it does mean caring enough to be concerned about how others feel. The old adage "walk a mile in my shoes" may fit here: look at things from another's perspective and then act with concern.” – Intervarsity Bible Commentary

Verses 27-31 - 27 - "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 - bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 - If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30 - Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 - Do to others as you would have them do to you.

The three examples Jesus gives us are illustrations of situations where we must love our enemies and how we might respond in those situations:

1. The fist had to do with rejection – perhaps rejection based upon our role as followers of Jesus. A slap with the back of the hand would be a way of symbolizing exclusion from the synagogue.
2. The situation is theft of personal belongings – perhaps while we are in the course of doing missionary work. This happened to us in Mexico several years ago where we had money stolen from our van. We were vulnerable and had the choice to stop giving or continuing to give, risk, and share the love of Jesus. We chose to continue.
3. The third situation is the occasion to be generous with others without keeping a running account.

The overriding principle is love as summarized in the Golden Rule.

From The Message: 27-30 – “"To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously. “

"Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them!

q Read verse 27 in both translations. What are some ways that God can use or has used enemies to bring out the best in you and others?

q What are some practical ways that we can do good to those who hate us?

q Why is this diffcult? Where can we get the strength to follow this teaching of Jesus?

q In v. 28, Jesus advises us to have two love responses to our enemies: (1) Bless them, (2) Pray for them. What are some practical ways of accomplishing these actions?

q Look at the three examples of practical applications of the principle in verses 27-30. Which of these is most challenging and why? Which have you experienced and how? What was the outcome?

q Why is verse 31 often called “the Golden Rule?” What does it mean to you?

q The Message says – “Grab the initiative.” How important is that and what effect/affect can it have on others?

Verses 31-36 - 32 - "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33 - And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. 34 - And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. 35 - But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 - Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Here Jesus teaches through restating in the context of this statement that I paraphrase: It is no big deal or credit to you to love the loveable. You are called to be different like your Father. Living that way brings great rewards.”

From The Message: 32-36 – “If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that's charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that. I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You'll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we're at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind.“

q What are some rewards of living this way? Are any of them earthly rewards? Explain.

q Describe mercy. How have you received mercy?

q What, from this scripture, is our prime motivation for living a life of mercy?

What are some ways we can practice mercy and kindness this week

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