“Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets…
“I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great… Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:22-23,27-36
Jesus sets up reality for His new disciples: Life will not be easy. In fact, as they stand for Him, they’ll be persecuted, excluded, reviled, spurned. But this hatred pointed toward them will instigate His supernatural work and blessing, and offer many opportunities for them to pray and love and extend mercy that they wouldn’t otherwise experience. These will be significant in their growth and testimony.
No one wants to expect certain conflict. Wouldn’t we all prefer congenial and easy? But not only is the Christian walk a rough one fraught with dissension and difficulty, it’s the way of promised blessing exactly because of that. In having enemies we learn to pray for them, as targets of hatred we learn to love as Christ loves. Kindness and generosity shine and are magnified against vitriol and greed. Good trumps evil. (Romans 12:14-21; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 3:9,13-17; 4:12-13)
While it may be counterintuitive to welcome opposition, what if, when faced with antagonism or threats, we sought the Lord and how we might serve and love the instigators as His hands and heart? What would change in our attitudes, and possibly situations, if we devoted ourselves to praying for them, and practically blessing them? If done with pure motive, out of obedience and love for Christ, even if we immediately suffer, we would know His favor and deep benediction in an intimate, lasting way.
Are we willing to try? Are we willing to bring these painful issues to our loving God and ask Him to use them for eternal good? To work in and out of us what is pleasing to Him? To develop in us Christ-like character and naturally holy responses? To help us persevere in the pressure and be transformed, to His glory? (Hebrews 13:21)
Lord, may I willingly welcome the sufferings You endured on my behalf, and glorify You in how I handle them for the benefit of others.
As the rain and snow 