What Jesus said here goes against the grain, especially if we look at the meaning of the word ‘enemy’. My old Penguin dictionary defines an enemy as one who shows hatred and hostility, a foe, opponent, antagonist or a nation at war with another. The internet gives many words and phrases. I selected the following two: something that harms something else and one seeking to injure, overthrow or confound another.

 

To love and even pray for someone or a group of people who fit the above definitions, may seem a bit too much, but this is what Jesus wants from us.

 

We should not view this command in isolation, but instead put it in context with the Sermon on the Mount in its entirety, as recorded in Matthew 5. In this sermon, Jesus turns the heads of many believers of his time. He calls those who know they are spiritually poor and those who mourn, happy people. The commandment about murder, Jesus said, is also valid when you are just angry with someone else. About adultery and the taking of an oath, he went right against the views of the time.

 

When he said, "love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you," it is part of this new way of looking at faith and love. When I sometimes read in a newspaper about someone who completely forgave and even pray for the murderer of a loved one, I find it very difficult to comprehend.

 

It is only when I remember that God has completely forgiven me, the one who is responsible for the death of his Son on the cross, that I understand a bit of this forgiveness. How, then, can I not love my enemy and pray for him?

 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I want to confess that loving my enemy is sometimes very difficult to do. Please help me to truly love even those who sometimes make life unbearable for me. Amen