January 15

Matthew 5:43-48 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:

Journal Entry

Scripture

43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 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. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Observation

Jesus is challenging us to do something that goes against human nature ---to love our enemies. Not only do we love our enemies but pray for them too? Jesus points out that it is easy to love those we love for even the evil doers can do the same. Jesus is instructing us to live above the fray and to go against what is our natural sense of justice of "eye for an eye." To truly be the sons and daughters of God we must love and pray for our enemies. The standard in which we live by are set high by Jesus. To follow the cross is not easy but rewards in heaven awaits us.

Application

When I am wronged my natural reaction is for some kind of justice or equal measured retaliation. This is the moment that I need to fall on my knees to pray for my enemies and the strength to love them. I need to pray for God's help that I may love those who persecute me. The world teaches us that there are clear distinciton between friends and foes, those that are on my side and those who are on the other. Jesus as God and Man is trying to tell us that the Heavenly father loves us all as He allows the sun shine and rain to be felt by all creation. His heart is of forgiveness, reconciliation and no bitterness to which we need to adhere so that we may know him fully. Loving and praying for our enemies is what God would do and so shall we.

Prayer

Lord Jesus,
Help me to carry out God's command to love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me. When all of my being is saying to lash back, help me to understand my enemy. When I'm wronged, help me to respond back with blessings. Lord I cannot do this with my own strength for I am weak minded, help me to tap into the Holy Spirit's power of love and forgiveness. To follow these commands I know that God will reveal his inner most heart. My desire is to be called your true son of the Father who is in heaven. AMEN

--David Park