February 17, 2019 Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany

27“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. 29To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 31And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. 32“But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. Luke 6:24-37 (NKJV)

There is a song entitled “Living Life Upside Down” which warns that thinking we are living a “good” life we may be living life upside down from what God desires, even demands, from us. Thinking we are reaching for heaven we may be reaching for hell.

A doctor once said if you wanted to eat well you could tell if it is healthy if it didn't taste good. While this most likely was a humorous answer it is also very profound for something which fits within God's call leads us to discomfort and sometimes even to danger.

“Love your enemies” is not a slogan many people lift up and consider laudable. This command alone is upside down to what we see in the world with the “dog eat dog” and “get even FIRST” philosophy. Right along with “bless those who curse you” loving your enemies seems strange and at times ludicrous. 

Take the list of things Jesus calls us to do or be and match it to the life of Jesus. As a common phrase Jesus not only “talked the talk but walked the walk”. As the Living Word of God Jesus used the written word of God (the Bible) to teach God's guidance for us and lived it out as a living example.

Like Jesus we are called to respond to the hatred, anger and fear of the world with the hope and love of Jesus. We give to those who do not deserve in response to the God who provides for the deserving and undeserving. We respond to God who offers what we do not deserve to we who are deserving! GRACE – unmerited favor!