Love Like Children

This passage challenges me on several levels. First, Jesus says that reciprocity isn’t a good standard for love. I like being nice to those who are nice to me. That is basic human instinct. Everyone does that. Jesus wants us to love those who give nothing in return, or worse, mock us or use our kindness against us. I have to ask myself, “how well do I love when I don’t get anything in return?”

Next, Jesus challenges me to love those opposed to me. It is interesting that Jesus has two categories – 1) those who I consider my enemies and 2) those who consider themselves my enemies. Jesus is telling me to love those I hate and those who hate me. Now consider that Jesus was talking to people who had a family member or someone they knew who had been beaten, flogged, imprisoned, or put to death by the Roman persecutors. That kind of enemy puts loving your enemy at a whole new level.

Finally, Jesus points to God’s love as the true standard to emulate. God’s love has no limit. Jesus tells us that wherever the sun shines and the rains fall, there God’s love is poured out. God equally loves those who love Him and those who hate Him, those who are trying to live right and those who are base and vile. That is boundless love!

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, someone asked Jesus, “who is my neighbor?” Essentially asking, “What is the appropriate limit of my love?” Jesus tells us if someone is in need of love, it is up to us to supply it, no matter our feelings and prejudices. We are to love without reciprocity, without regard to our feelings, and without limits. Then we will love like the true children of the Father.

Living by His Grace,

Jonathan