Thursday, April 13

Challenging

Scripture: Luke 6

Luke 6:27–31 “But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 To the person who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other as well, and from the person who takes away your coat, do not withhold your tunic either.30 Give to everyone who asks you, and do not ask for your possessions back from the person who takes them away. 31 Treat others in the same way that you would want them to treat you.”

Observation

Luke 6 contains “the sermon on the plain,” a shorter version of the sermon on the mount (Matthew 5-7). It contains some of the loftiest ethical teaching ever. Very challenging. Jesus expected us to obey this teaching. Later in the sermon He says:

Luke 6:46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do what I tell you?”

One simple definition of a follower or disciple of Jesus is this: you listen to Jesus and do what He says. For Christians, these aren’t just suggestions. Jesus is Lord so we do what He says. 

      • Love your enemies.
      • Do good to those who hate you.
      • Bless those who curse you.
      • Pray for those who mistreat you.
      • Turn the other cheek.
      • Give more than is asked. 
      • Treat others the way you want to be treated.
      • Don’t judge or condemn.
      • Forgive.
      • Take the log out of your own eye first. 

These verses and those around them are worth memorizing and embedding in your value system. Let them shape your values and behaviors. 

Application

I read these verses and was immediately convicted. I don’t understand some people’s behaviors and my reactions are unlike what Jesus commanded. My first reaction isn’t to love, do good, bless and pray. It isn’t to judge my own heart and remove the log from my eye. It is to judge them! 

What Jesus asks us to do flies in the face of human nature; it requires supernatural help! Even after all these years following Jesus, and knowing these verses well, I still default too often and too quickly to my human nature which wants to judge and punish, rather than love, do good, bless and pray. 

Help me Lord!

Prayer: Jesus, I love You and I want to obey You but need Your help. These reactions don’t come naturally to me. Please fill me with Your Spirit and form me to be more like You. 

More: Joshua 15-16, Psalm 44, Romans 16