“But I tell you who hear me: Love your
enemies, do good to those who hate you…” (Luke 6:27).
We are following the
Gospel of Luke in its presentation of the person and work of Jesus of Nazareth.
He came proclaiming the
good news of God’s favour.
With Jesus, God’s grace
wasn’t a once off or temporary gift…but a permanent – everlasting one. God
was establishing His full and everlasting authority on earth…as it was/is in
heaven.
We have reached the
section where Jesus reveals the practical implications of God’s kingdom.
“But…” (Luke 6:27). Here Jesus
introduces a number of kingdom values that stand in contrast with worldly
values. What are the worldly values?
“Even sinners…” (vv.32-34). These three
sayings contain worldly values.
Jesus points out that
even sinners, generally, operate by these values:
-everybody loves those
who love them. Love returns love.
-everybody does good to
those who do good to them. Good returns good.
-everybody lends money
expecting to get it back.
But the citizens of
heaven – kingdom people – know better – do better.
In Luke’s Gospel, the
Sermon on the Mount is addressed primarily to the disciples – kingdom people.
It is “kingdom people” who are being taught the values of God’s kingdom. It is
“kingdom people” who need to know/see the difference – to be different.
Verses 36-38 mention
three values: mercy, forgiveness, generosity.
Now, are these
exclusively values of God’s kingdom? No. These values are practiced in the
world also. What, then is the difference?
In God’s kingdom, being
merciful, forgiving and generous reflect the merciful, forgiving and generous
heavenly Father. In the believer’s life, they spring from the Spirit’s
indwelling presence.