I have to admit that the sermon in Luke 6 is maybe the part of the Bible I like the least. That’s because so much of it is just plain impossible. Love your enemies? Bless those who curse you? Who do you think I am, Lord? I’m not You!
And that’s the problem, isn’t it? If I’m relying on my own human willpower and understanding to love my enemies, well, it’s just not going to happen. I can barely stand to be in the same room with them—and now I’m supposed to care about their welfare? To pray for them, speak kindly to them, help them when they’re in need?
Only Jesus can do that. Only Jesus has done that, when He came into our world to rescue us. Because He was coming to rescue His enemies—rebels against God, people who did harm to one another and even to themselves. People whose reaction to meeting a perfectly good, innocent, loving and holy human being was to crucify Him.
And that is one of the many miracles of Jesus’ death and resurrection—that, through His great love for us, Jesus transforms His enemies into His own family—forgiven, beloved children of God. His Holy Spirit makes us people who love and trust Him with all our hearts. And suddenly the impossible becomes possible, because God is living in us, doing it through us.
WE PRAY: Lord, I can’t love these people on my own. Please, don’t leave it up to me. You love them through me! Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. Do you enjoy Luke 6, or its parallel passage, the Sermon on the Mount?
2. Why or why not?
3. When have you seen God work through you to do something you would have considered impossible on your own?