In Matthew 5: 44 Jesus admonishes us to love our enemies….bless them that curse us...do good to them that hate us… But I have to admit I have a hard time thinking of anyone as an enemy….or imagining that I myself could be someone’s enemy. Sure, there are people that have wronged me or, even worse, I have wronged them. But enemies? Isn’t that a bit extreme?  In my mind I picture countries at war--THEY are real enemies for sure! However, if there is unfriendliness or hostility between yourself and another person, then that is someone Matthew 5:44 is talking about. 

In the upper room during the Passover feast, Jesus tells his disciples, 

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:34-35.

Do you know what had just happened immediately before Jesus spoke these words? He ate the passover feast with his disciples--including Judas, the one who would betray him. After supper, the Lord washed his disciples' feet--again including Judas. He knew this was part of God’s will and was needed to fulfil prophecy, but he also knew he needed to show his followers how to love.

This command to love others is not new. All the way back in Leviticus and Deuteronomy the Lord commanded his people to love their neighbors as themselves and to love the stranger in their land. However, the reason the Lord said this was a NEW commandment lies in HOW we are to love: “as I have loved you.” 

We were given such a vivid example by our Lord of how to love. Not just how to love our family or friends or those who love us in return, but how to love even those who we wouldn’t naturally choose to love. 

What does it look like to love someone like that? 

It looks like one taking water and a towel and bending low to wash his betrayer’s feet. It looks like one graciously and tenderly eating supper with a Judas. 

Jesus’ love was sacrificial and costly. This is shown perfectly through his death on Calvary. 

His love was humble--he sought the good and well being of others not himself. 

His love was identifiable. It's not just having nice thoughts toward someone; it’s having outward actions that can be seen. When we walk in love and live it out, our identity in Christ will be confirmed and our witness will be strengthened. God will receive glory; people will turn to Christ---just from our testimony of love toward our brethren! Wow! 

Jesus tells us during his Sermon on the Mount to love our enemies, bless them, do good to them, and pray for them. Jesus SHOWS us how to love these at the Passover feast. We follow his example when we decide to obey our Lord’s command. Being a command takes it out of the realm of “I can or can’t love that person”, and into the realm of “I will or won’t.” It’s an act of our will. If Jesus commands it, then He will enable us!

Do you want a sweeter walk with God? Love others more--especially the difficult ones! 

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. I John 4:16

And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. Ephesians 5:2

And now for a challenge.

A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath. Proverbs 21:14

This verse can be applied in different ways. First, a private and personal gift can help restore a damaged relationship with someone we have hurt or wronged. Giving it in private is key to remove any hint of show or benefit you hope to gain publicly. 

Conversely, what if you are the one wronged and you just can’t seem to let it go? You don’t FEEL like showing love to someone. I challenge you to give the person who wronged you a gift anonymously and see how it changes YOU. By stepping out in faith and obedience, and LOVING someone even when our feelings and emotions say not to, we give God room to work! Couple your action with prayer and sit back and see what God will do. I’ve tried it myself and I KNOW it works! If our money, resources, and gifts can quell anger, would the command of Christ to love like Jesus accomplish any less? 

An easy way to try this is to send flowers to someone’s home anonymously. You could leave a treat on someone’s car or desk. Mail a gift card to their home. Your heart will follow what your hands do and your lips pray. Remember Jesus example of love included a costly sacrifice, humbleness, and a tangible action--we have to be willing to spend our resources and make a sacrifice if we are to love like Him! 

I would love to hear your testimonies of how God helped you show love even when it wasn’t easy!