Moment of Meditation: Love Your Enemies (Matthew 5:43-45)

"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,
so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.
For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good,
and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."
(Matthew 5:43-45)

Love Your Enemies

Taking sides is in our very nature. You are either for me or against me. There can't be any fence-sitting on most issues. You're either on one side or another. Either a friend or an enemy. Even with the modern word "frenemy"--the supposed middle ground--you're seen as an enemy that must be tolerated.

Jesus doesn't ask us to tolerate our enemies. He doesn't tell us to put up with them. He tells us to love our enemies. Not a friendly love. Not brotherly love. Agape love. Unconditional love. Love that knows that your enemy may always be your enemy. Love that sent Jesus to the cross.

"While we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son" (Romans 5:10). Jesus didn't die for His friends. Jesus died for His enemies. Living out the love of God that "makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."

Jesus loved you while you were His enemy. How much more should you share that love with your enemies? Enemies made, like you, in God's image. Amen.