November 13, 2011
Lesson Focus:
Love when love is not expected
Lesson Scripture:
Matthew 5:43-48 kjv
Introduction:
Love your enemies,the Jews of Jesus' day understood loving their neighbors, but they did not understand loving their enemies.It was fine to hate your enemies.Jesus taught just the opposite.If someone is being mistreated,how can the hurting party show love? First of all,the love spoken of here is not ordinary fleshly love,but agape love,the kind of unconditional love that defines who God is.Once a person receives and understands that kind of love, it overflows into a love for others.Jesus gave us practical ways to love an enemy, bless them, pray for them, and do them good.This kind of attitude and these actions can win over a person in opposition.Jesus summarized His teaching on love with an exhortation to be perfect,by showing God's complete love to our enemy.God's love goes out to all people,therefore all who represents him here on earth,should also love all people and nations inspite of how they treat us.
Divine Love Identifies the Child of God
Matthew 5:43-45,KJV
43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Footnotes:
Here Jesus addresses the proper attitude His followers should have towards others,whether neighbors or enemies.Jesus contrasted the misguided interpretation of the Law by the Jewish religious leaders with the true intent and fulfillment of the Law of God.The Pharisees taught that Israelites should "love their neighbor, meaning other Israelites and those who were their friends, but they should hate their enemy.However Jesus completely reversed this teaching,telling His disciples to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute you.Just as God blesses the evil and the good with the sun and the rain, we are to love our enemies and our friends.We also don't know who is our friend and who is our enemy,so by loving all people we can't go wrong, after all Jesus loved us while we was his enemy.
Divine Love Reflects the Character of God
Matthew 5:46-48,KJV
46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect
Footnotes:
Here Jesus told the people that loving only those who love you is practiced by the tax collectors,and this is the not action worthy of a reward.We must love those who despise us,who say all matter of evil about us, who persecute us, this is the love of God.Jesus concludes His teaching by calling on His followers to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.We are to emulate the righteous standard set by God, who extends love toward everyone.It is a call to a conduct in this life that truly reflects the character of our Father which art in heaven.
Why was Jesus so willing to lay down His life even for those who hated Him?His motive had nothing to do with the character or conduct of those he died for.A mob rejected him,His followers betrayed him,and denied knowing him,he was spit on, sworn at, slapped,and beaten, and all of this was before they nailed Him to the cross.But while we were without power Christ died for the ungodly.He gave His life for His friends and His enemies, and offered to all who will accept it, salvation.If we are going to be Christ like ,we too must be willing to lay down our life for friends and enemies alike and become a living sacrifice, that the lost might be saved.
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