Jesus loves His enemies

 JESUS LOVES HIS ENEMIES

“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

LUKE 6.27–28

One of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.

LUKE 22.50–51

Based on LUKE 22.47–53

Here is the beginning of the end. Judas walks up and kisses Jesus, betraying Him with a gesture reserved for friendly greetings. The soldiers grab hold of Him. And His disciples, in a panic, whip out their two swords ready to defend their teacher.

Not waiting to be prompted, Peter slashes the ear of the high priest’s servant. Did he intend to go for the neck? He was, after all a fisherman, unskilled with a sword.

In all likelihood, mayhem ensued. The temple guards were armed and a bloodbath could have easily followed. But in the midst of a chaotic situation with lots of people, Jesus focuses on one person who desperately needs help. One person who was probably bleeding profusely. One person — who was the enemy. Or so it seemed.

In this moment, Jesus exemplifies what it looks like to love your enemy and do good to him who hurts you. This last recorded healing demonstrates the extent of Jesus’ love. Sometimes we can see Jesus’ death on the cross for all mankind and somehow gloss over the personal nature of His sacrifice. But in this encounter, we see the personal love of Jesus for His enemies. As He was being arrested, Jesus sought to bring healing and wholeness and restoration even to those who were seeking to kill Him.

This is love. He is not self-seeking, even when we would think He had every right to be.

After all, it’s fairly easy to love our friends. Even Jesus said so,

If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that… But love your enemies, do good to them… Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. (Lk 6.32–36)

This is the way of Jesus. This is the kind of love Jesus describes in the parable of the good Samaritan, who put his own plans on hold to care for the wounded Israelite, even though they were enemies (Lk 10.25–37).

This is the kind of love Jesus’ followers have demonstrated throughout history, praying for their persecutors, serving their tormentors, and forgiving their executioners. Some stories of courageous love have been preserved and passed down through the ages, while other acts of love are known only by our heavenly Father. Yet one generation after another has followed Jesus’ example of sacrificial love toward those who hurt them.

And now it’s our generation’s turn.

Prayer 

Precious Jesus, even while I was Your enemy, You reconciled me to Yourself through Your death. Thank You for Your perfect love, for Your perfect forgiveness, for Your perfect life that brings me life. Help me love my enemies as You have loved me.

In Jesus’s name, Amen.

If you want to read more 

Mt 18.21–35, 26.47–56, Mk 14.43–50, Lk 6.27–36, 22.47–53, Jn 18.10–11, Rom 5.6–11, 1Cor 10.24, 32–33, 13.5