February 26th

Matthew 5:43-48
Barbara Smith

“Love your Enemies – God’s standard for us”

Jesus’ radical and tough teachings.

Think about it! Who, around you, is easy to love? Maybe it’s someone who has your same interests and ideals so you want to be around them – it’s easy and comfortable.

Jesus, on the other hand, picked a motley crew at best to become his disciples and follow him. Jesus stopped and talked with outcasts. One example is the Samaritan woman at the well. He not only spoke to her but his words told her – “I see you, I know all about you and I value you”. Jesus told us to love your enemies and he lived it.

Who around you is not in your “inner circle”? Who do you put in the category of an enemy? Perhaps someone who has hurt you or someone you would not want to be seen with? Jesus shows us that that is the very person we should be reaching our hand of friendship and love out to.

God, thank you for showing us the way to see another person as you see us.