In Luke 6 we have an abbreviated message with some of the things Jesus said in the sermon on the Mount, including a blessing for those who are poor, hungry, hurting, and mistreated, as well as a warning for those who are rich, gluttonous, carefree and popular. He then says:
27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
Are you listening? How do you respond to life when you feel you have been mistreated? Jesus gives a few pairs of parallel instructions Love and do good to your enemies- do what is best for them, even though they are out to harm you. Bless and pray for those who abuse you verbally or physically. This one, is the one we really want to focus in on here in our study today. Bless - find something good to say about them; don't always be badmouthing them to your friends, on Facebook, and even in your prayers. Don't just pray against them; pray for them - for God to do in their lives what they really need; entrust them to His will. Jesus goes on: Offer your other cheek and the clothes on your back - disarm them; take them back. This is not some passive masochism; this is spiritual warfare - fight evil with good. Give and don't keep records. We live in a world that says: "you owe me bigtime." Grace doesn't hold it over others' heads. Just let it go. Jesus then gives one overriding principle - what we call the Golden Rule: Treat others as you want to be treated - not expecting them to treat you that way - but be consistent with the way that God has loved you. If we live this way - especially if we will pray this way - we will see how blessed we really are by God.
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