“The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because generally they are the same people.” ~
Who are your enemies? It’s a fair question to ponder. In our readings today, Jesus defined our closest enemies, and like the disciples, we were not prepared for who he would point out. He said that anyone who persecutes you persecutes me. Jesus goes on to share that many of our enemies will come from within inside our family. If we are to become entirely devoted followers of Jesus Christ, then we must put God before anyone and everything. This act of dying to oneself is the most challenging thing we’ll ever do in our lives. Jesus said he came to set humans against their own and was adamant that some of our enemies would be those of our household (Matthew 10:34-36).
“Jesus Christ lived amid his enemies. In the end, all his disciples deserted him. On the Cross, he was utterly alone, surrounded by evildoers and mockers. For this cause, he had come to bring peace to the enemies of God. So the Christian, too, belongs not in the seclusion of a cloistered life but in the thick of foes. There is his commission, his work. ‘The kingdom is to be in the midst of your enemies. And he who will not suffer this does not want to be of the Kingdom of Christ; he wants to be among friends, to sit among roses and lilies, not with the bad people but the devout people. O, you blasphemers and betrayers of Christ! If Christ had done what you are doing, who would ever have been spared’ (Luther).” ~
Both Chesterton and Bonhoeffer make it clear that the Gospel of the Kingdom is not for the self-centered. You can’t live out your kingdom calling and be in love with the world at the same time. If you are sold-out for the kingdom, everybody in your life will know it. You will not have many close friends because most people are stricken with extreme individualism and under the influence of delusional thinking, believing they can achieve satisfaction from this world if they only manage well. The best news is by choosing to live the kingdom life here on earth; you end up living the best life possible. You will not only experience God’s kingdom promises in heaven but also on earth as it is in heaven.
Scripture Readings
Reflection Questions
- What did you take from today’s reflection and scripture readings?
- Do you struggle to understand God’s acceptance of incest in the Old Testament?
- Why did Jesus come in the form of a man and not an angel?
- What does it mean that we are not our own?
- How have you experienced ridicule and persecution for following Jesus?
- Do you ever hide the fact that you love Jesus around particular family members and friends?
Prayer
My Creator, remove me from the bondage of individualism. Divorce me from this world and grant me the willingness and courage to pick up my cross and follow Jesus. Please allow my life to be an example and not a warning to what it means to be an entirely devoted follower of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In Your Spirit and Name. Amen.
¹Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Christian Community
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