Advent Devotions

Matthew 5:43-48

Today’s author is Prince of Peace member Scott Tunseth.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you . . .” (5:43)

Really, Jesus? Really? I see that this is what defines us as God’s children, but why is it so hard? I’d much rather knock the bully down than wish him or her well. I’d rather complain about and protest the insensitive leader who uses his or her authority to get rich at the expense of others. I’d rather write a scathing editorial pointing out the many faults of So and So. It’s hard and it doesn’t seem fair when you get right down to it. You know, that “God in heaven makes the sun rise on both the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (5:45).

God’s prophet Jonah experienced the maddening mercy of God. He sat and pouted, even wished he was dead, when God used Jonah’s own preaching to lead Israel’s arch-enemy Nineveh (capitol of the Assyrians) to repent and be forgiven. Two poems by Thomas John Carlisle capture Jonah’s (and maybe our?) feelings well:

TANTRUM
The generosity of God
Displeased Jonah exceedingly
And he slashed with angry prayer
At the graciousness of the Almighty.
“I told You so,” he screamed.
“I knew what you would do,
You dirty Forgiver.
You bless your enemies
And show kindness to those
Who despitefully use You.
I would rather die
Than live in a world
With a God like You.
And don’t try to forgive me either.”

QUESTION
I hate God’s enemies
With perfect hatred.
Why can’t God
do as much?

Why indeed! Why does God forgive? And why are we called to do the same, even our enemies? Jesus puts it plainly: If you love only those who love you or if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what reward do you have? In other words, anybody can love like that. But loving even your enemy is what sets you apart as one embraced by the gospel. If you are able to love and pray for the enemy, the scoundrel, the bully, the ungodly, you will not be a perfect person, but the gospel will be perfectly at work in and through you.

Gracious God, your mercy is maddening but amazing. Help me to expand the boundaries of my love and forgiveness to all, even my enemies. Amen.