Matthew 5:43–48
43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47“If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48“Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Focused Thinking:
Here is the last contrast of “You have heard that it was said,” with “But I say to you.” This has been an amazing series of statements. We forget how completely radical this was for Jesus to make this authoritative statements.
“You have heard…But I say to you…”
1. Matthew 5:21–22
- Murder—Don’t even be angry.
2. Matthew 5:23–26
- Offerings—Don’t present your offering until you reconcile relationships.
3. Matthew 5:27–30
- Adultery—Don’t even lust.
4. Matthew 5:31–32
- Divorce—Don’t break your commitment, but keep your commitment.
5. Matthew 5:33–37
- Oaths—Don’t make hypocritical promises, but respond with honesty.
6. Matthew 5:38–42
- Revenge—Don’t retaliate, but respond with mercy.
7. Matthew 5:43–48
- Enemies—Don’t hate, but respond with love.
43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Before we jump into this passage, let’s remember another passage that speaks to loving your neighbor:
What did Jesus do when a Pharisee asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor”?
Jesus responded with the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29).
Jesus explained that His followers must show love to all kinds of people.
- No matter the faith,
- No matter the nationality,
- No matter the personality—enemies included.
Historical Context:
The Pharisees interpreted Lev 19:18 as teaching that they should love only those who love in return, “neighbor” referring to someone of the same nationality and faith. While no Bible verse explicitly says hate your enemy, the Pharisees may have reinterpreted some of the Old Testament passages about hatred for God’s enemies (Ps 139:19–22; 140:9–11). But Jesus instructs His followers to do the true intent of God’s law by loving their enemies as well as their neighbors.
What has to happen in my heart to love and pray for my enemies?
If there is ever a truth that requires the power of the Holy Spirit it is this one.
It is 100% abnormal to love your enemies.
It is 100% abnormal to pray for your enemies.
I can’t think of anything harder to do apart from God’s love.
I have been able to do this before, but it is never my first response.
I typically do this after much brokenness.
We must do what our Father does.
God loves us when we don’t deserve it.
God loves us when we don’t love Him.
God loves us when we rebel against Him.
God loves us when we disobey Him.
God loves us even when we are enemies against Him (Rom 5:8).
45bfor He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
The Father shows His love to all people:
Allowing the sun to rise on the evil and the good,
Sending rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
46“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47“If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48“Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
What makes Jesus followers different from others?
They love their enemies (this is radical…this is divine).
Everybody loves those who love them.
Even the tax collectors love those who love them.
If Jesus’ followers greeted only their fellow believers, they would be no different from the Gentiles.
YOU MUST LOVE PEOPLE TO REACH PEOPLE!
What does the last verse mean? “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
The word translated “perfect” can also be translated to mature or full grown as in Ephesians 4:13 and Hebrews 5:14–6:1.
The law was not the standard of perfect, God was.
Personal Application:
In other words, we are to be like God.
Be like God in our character.
Be like God in our holiness.
Be like God in our maturity.
Be like God in our love.
Jesus has redefined the law; it is no longer external, it is an internal expression of the heart.
The law can’t be obeyed and fulfilled by human ability.
The law can only be obeyed and fulfilled by the Holy Spirit in us.
Jesus loves us up to His standard and He expects us to love others up to His standard:
Don’t be angry.
Don’t be have unforgiving relationships.
Don’t lust.
Don’t break your marriage commitment.
Don’t make hypocritical promises.
Don’t retaliate.
Don’t hate.
What do I do?
Love God
Love People
Make Disciples
That solves everything: 613 commandments are summed up in Love God and Love People.
Interactive Prayer:
Wow, how simple but how difficult. Father, give us to ability to love You more so that we will love ourselves less. We will never love ourselves less without loving You more. We will never solve the love problem through our sinful nature. The only way to change people is to love people. Father, give us the ability to emphasize and obey the command “love your neighbor.” Give us the ability to truly emphasize and obey the command “love one another.” Father, we run by this and don’t really teach it because it so simple and obvious, but yet it isn’t obeyed. Father, help us as a church lift this command and teaching up in a visionary way, in a missionary way. Father, make us a church that is awesome at loving people inside and outside of the faith. Give us the desire, determination and discipline to become people of love. Help us to desire to come after You, to deny ourselves, to pick up our crosses and to follow You. Father, show us Your love and give us the ability to respond to Your love with love.
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