Matthew 5:38-48
"You have heard
that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45
so that you may be children of your Father in heaven…“ (Matthew 5:43-45)
When a child is born, they don’t know what it means to hate.
They’re not racist, bigoted, homophobic, or elitist. Those are all learned
attitudes. They’re taught by parents, friends, family members, and (whether we
want to admit it or not) faith communities. These attitudes, in turn, form the
foundation of the judgments they will make in life. How else does someone know
to dislike those who are different?
The problem with Jesus is that he messes with the beliefs we
have all been taught. In his Sermon on the Mount, he ticks through many of the things
that people have been taught to believe over the years, things that are even in
the Bible, and says it’s time to think differently. "You have heard it said...but I say to you...." Jesus is saying that it’s time to bury the
categories that we have been taught to use in judging others and begin to see them as God sees them.
That’s what it means to be children of your heavenly Father. We learn from our
Father about unconditional love and the inherent worth of everyone. We learn to
love.
Matthew 5:38-48 NRSV
38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'
39 But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also;
40 and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well;
41 and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile.
42 Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.
46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?
48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
39 But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also;
40 and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well;
41 and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile.
42 Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.
46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?
48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
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