The Gospels

Read This Week: Luke 15

The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. – Luke 15:21-24 NIV

The words of an old gospel song go something like this: I believe that the Christ who was slain on the cross has the power to change lives today. We believe that, right? Sometimes we believe it, but maybe we don’t always believe it. It is tough to admit, but perhaps the fallenness of this world, the daily encounter of brokenness in people’s lives, the rapid, contentious degradation of our culture, and just the grind of the journey can obstruct the belief that God is still in the life-changing business. It can dent the confidence that the Gospel is still advancing today like Jesus said it would.

Could this temporary lack of belief be why we look at the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15 and find it so unbelievable? After all, we are Christ-followers. We believe in the Bible wholeheartedly. We see God’s activity around us all the time, and we have tasted, seen, and experienced the power of the resurrection in our lives and countless others. However, situations and circumstances arise involving certain people that test our faith and cause us to forget that God still saves and redeems those far from Him.

The Parable of the Lost Son is one of those stories that test belief in the probability of a person being rescued. Here was a young man born into riches and privilege with a loving father and all the opportunity he could claim. But he was rebellious, selfish, and determined to leave his home, live in the world, and entertain the most sinister vices. Verse 13 says: The younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country, and squandered his wealth in wild living.

At one point, the son was so far away from his home and from God in his heart that he ended up in foreign country feeding pigs for a farm owner and becoming so desperate that he desired to eat the same food the pigs were eating. He was alone, despairing, and on the edge of death, yet he still chose his lifestyle over change. Then he repents in his heart, comes to his senses, and realizes he could go home and that his father would receive him if he asked for forgiveness.

What happens next is one of the more touching and beautiful pictures of grace and forgiveness that leads to a changed life in all of the Bible. The son goes home, and when his father sees him, he does not meet him with disappointment, shame, or a guilt-ridden lecture about poor choices. He receives him with love, acceptance, and joy. Verses 22-24 tell us:

The father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.

This parable is as much about the love of a father as it is the sin-filled wandering and homecoming of a wayward son. The father is more interested in his son and restoring their relationship than what he had done or where he had been. The same is true of Father God when he looks at us and at those who we think are too far from Him to ever be redeemed. He just wants us, and His grace through the blood of Jesus gives us every opportunity to come to Him. And when we do, He runs out, embraces us, and celebrates our changed life.

We believe that the Christ who was slain on the cross has the power to change lives today. We believe it. We believe it because it’s true.

Read This Week: Luke 14

When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” – Luke 14:7-11 NIV

It is difficult for us to seek the lowest place in most settings. It goes against our fallen human nature to submit ourselves to humility so that we can think of others first. We do not naturally come in low, even if introversion, shyness, or reservation is our personality. Our flesh seeks the highest place, and we have to make a concerted effort not to want exaltation in our relationships, families, work, and church community. As the Christian organization, I Am Second, says in their mission statement: “declaring oneself second isn’t natural.”

Jesus knew this and addressed the topic of self-exultation versus humility in Luke 14 when he noticed how so many people sought out the places of honor and position at the Pharisee’s house. He noticed the natural tendencies of people to elevate themselves in both advantageous and trivial situations. He observed a clamoring not only for status but significance. That is why he said in verse 10:

But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests.

The Lord was teaching them and us to allow the Holy Spirit to help against our natural tendencies, shortcomings, and essence. To emulate the character of Christ in taking the lowest position even though He alone was worthy of the highest place. To allow the Lord and others to upgrade or raise us up and not to clamor for it ourselves.

He specifically says that if we get caught up in self-exultation, humility will come to us in ways we do not expect or want. But, if we are humble and submit to God’s process of humility, celebration and success will come to us in ways we do not anticipate. Jesus says in verse 11:

For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

We all have a desire to feel important or significant, which is why we fight so hard to find our place of honor. Everyone wants to be noticed and included, but we can’t make it our life’s goal to achieve that status, and we certainly can’t do it at the expense of others. 

We must constantly seek humility and deference to other people because this is a posture and attitude that most resembles the person of Christ. We must desire to come in second. It is the place that honors the Lord in an environment and society obsessed with looking out for number one. Second is the place in our homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, and playgrounds that points to a power outside ourselves. It is the place where glorification will ultimately be a reality, even if it is beyond this life.

The same person who taught us about humility in this passage is the same One that Philippians 2:6-8 describes as the supreme example of humility and why there is eternal benefit to coming in second:

Jesus, who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death!

Read This Week: Luke 13

And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’” – Luke 13:6-9 NIV

Growth is a natural process. Everything living is growing. If it is not, something is inherently wrong with the thing, or something is actively impeding the process. In life, the same principle of growth seems to apply, especially when we talk about spiritual growth. When one is in a relationship with God and actively connected to the truth and life source of the Holy Spirit, growth is inevitable. But if bad choices, sin, and the world are allowed to take precedent over pursuing Christ, the process is stunted, and growth becomes optional.

In Luke 13, Jesus illustrates this idea of growth with a parable. The story shows that a fig tree has not produced fruit for three years and the man who planted the tree wants to cut it down. The arbor keeper protests and asks the owner to give him one more year to tend to the tree, curate it, put fertilizer on it, and then if that does not work, he can get rid of it. In other words, the arbor keeper wants to exhaust all avenues and resources to achieve growth for the tree before it is given up on and discarded. Verses 8-9 says:

Let it alone this year until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.

This parable shows us some practical things that are applicable to us today. First, it shows that growth is not always assumed or natural, and even though someone may say they are a Christian, it does not mean that Christ-like fruit is coming from their lives. The fig tree is baffling to the owner because it is not producing figs, just as the Christian who displays no spiritual fruit is equally confusing.

Second, this passage reminds us of the patience, grace, and long-suffering of God in regard to our growth and relationship with Him. He is patient with us when we have His word at our fingertips and do not read it. He is gracious when we make the same mistakes over and over despite the Spirit guiding us toward change. He is enduring when we make no spiritual strides and produce no spiritual fruit after years of being his child. God is not satisfied with our lack of growth, but He does not cut us down or throw us away. The Lord always pursues our hearts and beckons us to return to Him and progress in the faith.

Lastly, we see real growth takes time, commitment, and effort. We must take the attitude of the vinedresser when it comes to our spiritual development and expansion beyond the infantile stages of Christianity. We have to be willing to stay consistent and persistent when things are not going the way we want, or growth is not happening the way we planned.

We have to press into God and exhaust all the resources and avenues available to us that will contribute to our spiritual walk. Real growth comes when we have the seed of truth planted in our hearts, and it is fertilized by the Spirit, reading the Bible, staying connected to the family of God, and worshipping Him over time.

Read This Week: Luke 12

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? – Luke 12:22-26 NIV

No worries. That is a phrase that has made its way into the everyday lexicon and vocabulary of our lives. It is an informal expression or idiom that means to not worry about something or to casually reassure that things are alright and there are no problems. This saying or response can also be a way to encourage or comfort ourselves in moments where we need to be reminded not to worry about things we cannot control. A little phrase can make a big difference if one embraces the essence of its meaning.

Jesus wanted those listening to his teaching and for us to embrace the no worries philosophy in our lives. He tells the story of the rich fool who worried all the time because he had so much, and the Lord knew that his disciples and followers would worry because they did not have enough. Those who choose to follow Christ give up things in faith, and when we do things in faith, we will always be tempted to worry. This fact makes Jesus’ words crucial for us to receive and live out as He teaches us several things about worry in Luke 12.

In this passage, we see that worry is damaging. The word worry or anxious in verse 22 means “to be torn apart.” This is very intense and descriptive language to describe what worry and anxiety can do to a life, heart, and health. It can tear apart and be destructive to our relationships, work, and service to God. If worry is allowed to rule in our hearts, it can leave us devastated and prevent us from living the life of success that God desires.

Jesus makes it clear that worry is a liar. It deceives us and gives a false view of life, ourselves, and God. Verses 22-23 show that worry will lead us to believe that life is all about outward appearances and stressing over routine things: He says:

Do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.

The Lord took care to let us know that we should not get so bogged down and concerned with the menial things in life and forget about the ultimate purpose of glorifying God. He wants us to stay focused on Him in faith and not fall prey to the lie that life is about what we wear, eat, or how we look.

Lastly, these crucial verses teach us that worry is pointless. Verses 25-26 instruct: Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Worries do not add anything to our journeys other than heartache, health issues, and loss of precious time that could have been utilized for the glory of God.

Worry does not lengthen, enhance, enrich, or add anything of productive value to our lives. In fact, Jesus teaches the opposite. He says that if God feeds and takes care of the flowers of the fields, surely He will take care of the needs of His children. Therefore, knowing this truth and not worrying brings joy, peace, hope, richness, and beauty to life no matter what is going on.

God knows our needs and is faithful to meet them. We can put our hope and trust in Him for the little details all the way up to the massive challenges and issues we must take care of, address, and walk through. Worrying about them is a lack of faith in the Father and His infinite capacity and ability to take care of us. We must see our lives with a heavenly mindset and not get down in the weeds of worry with the world. We must approach each day with a steadfast belief in God and say to what is in front of us, no worries.

Read This Week: Luke 11

I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity, he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. – Luke 11:8-10 NIV

“If at first, you don’t succeed, try, try again.” That is the famous phrase of exhortation coined by Thomas H. Palmer in a book called Teacher’s Manual. The origin of this saying was for Palmer to encourage children to do their homework and keep going when it was difficult to focus on their studies or needed the confidence to keep going. The full quote is actually “Tis a lesson you should heed, try, try again. If at first, you don’t succeed, try, try, and try again”. It is profound in its simplicity and earnest in its desire to spur people on to the potential that lies in wait if one will simply keep trying.

Jesus sent a similar message of faith and persistence to His followers in Luke 11. He uses a parable about a grouchy neighbor to contrast the love and care of God when we seek and ask Him to meet our needs. In the story, we see a man going to his friend’s house looking for food to satisfy his hunger. But the friend is already in bed and unwilling to get up to feed him. The Message captures the response of the friend like this in verse 7:

The friend answers from his bed, ‘Don’t bother me. The door’s locked; my children are all down for the night; I can’t get up to give you anything.’ 

Jesus suggests that the man not stop looking for food just because his friend will not get up on the first try. The Lord asserts that the man should keep knocking on the door, and because of his shameless audacity, the friend will surely get up and give him as much as he needs. Jesus says his persistence, faith, and well-intended request will lead the man to the necessary provision.

Christ has a clear message for His followers, if a sleepy and seemingly selfish neighbor will finally feed his friend, how much more will a loving Father provide for His children who keep seeking Him. God is not like the friend. He never sleeps on us, does not get irritated or impatient, is supernaturally generous, embodies grace and kindness, and the Scriptures say He delights in meeting the needs of His followers. The Lord responds to the steadfast asking, searching, and banging on His door.

God wants His family to come to Him and pursue a deeper relationship first. God also desires for us to look to Him for our needs. And if it does not turn out like we want it at first, we are to keep pursuing the One who ultimately knows what is best. We are to keep knocking on His door. We are to try, try again with God. Jesus was clear: For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened

Read This Week: Luke 10

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” In reply, Jesus said: A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” – Luke 10:30-37 NIV

One of the most beloved figures in American life in the 20th century was a television host, author, and Presbyterian minister named Fred Rogers. He was best known as Mr. Rogers and was famous for his vulnerable style, kindness, and grace in his treatment of people and demeanor in the series Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. He was an inspiration to so many young and old and was an example of humanity. Mr. Rogers genuinely loved people, and he wanted everyone to feel like and be his neighbor. The show would always start with an endearing tune and words sung by Fred that went like this:

I have always wanted to have a neighbor just like you
So let’s make the most of this beautiful day,
Since we’re together, we might as well say,
Would you be mine? Could you be mine?
Won’t you be my neighbor?

When you heard that song, you believed that Mr. Rogers wanted you to be his neighbor. Jesus wanted His followers in Luke 10 and those today to make people feel the same way. He desires Christians to be so sincere, loving and inviting that others want to be their neighbor. Jesus illustrates this to an expert of the law who wanted to justify himself, and asked Him, “And who is my neighbor?” The Lord does not give him a blanket definition but instead communicates what a neighbor is through the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

In this parable, Jesus teaches the characteristics of someone who is not neighborly and reinforces and highlights the traits of one who is. The man who is robbed, beaten, and left on the side of the road in the story provides an opportunity for three different people to be his neighbor, but only one, the Samaritan makes good on it. Only the Good Samaritan expresses a heart of a person that loves their neighbor as themselves. 

Verse 31 tells us that the first person to see the man lying beaten on the side of the road is a priest, and his response was to pass by on the other side. Verse 32 shows that the Levite that saw him next had the same reaction to literally walking around him on the opposite side of the road. But the Samaritan happens by, and this was his response in verses 33-34:

He saw him, and he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

The priest and the Levite approached their neighbor with apathy, lethargy, and a chilling lack of empathy toward him and his condition. They were non-compassionate, unloving, and seemingly indifferent as they made an effort only to avoid helping him.

The Samaritan, on the other hand, saw the man and chose to act with compassion and mercy. He recognized his predicament and situation and was willing to be the one to meet his needs. He expressed empathy, acted, and took care of him. The Samaritan was not limited by his feelings, background, or culture. The seeming inconvenience of the man’s plight did not deter the Samaritan from being a good neighbor.

May we take our cue from the Bible and the Parable of the Good Samaritan when it comes to being a neighbor to those around us. May we be aware of the needs of others and show mercy and compassion when there are opportunities to serve, respond, and care. May the Holy Spirit empower us with the loving heart of God so that we can say to the world with our words, actions, and service, I have always wanted to have a neighbor just like you, could you be mine? Won’t you be my neighbor?

Read This Week: Luke 9

As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” He said to another man, “Follow me.” Still, another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” – Luke 9:57-62 NIV

The cost of following Jesus has both a universal and individual demand. There is a cost that applies to everyone that includes living according to the Bible, turning from the things in the past that are counter to truth, stopping destructive behavioral patterns, and giving up everything that stands in the way of serving Christ. But everyone who crosses the line of faith is an individual and faces distinct challenges within the common framework of being a Christian in this day and age. The cost or sacrifice of following Jesus has to be weighed by each person who desires to do life with God.

Luke 9 shows us a few different types of people that struggled with various things when confronted with the prospect of following Jesus. The first cost the Lord lays down is the denial of self and taking up our cross and following Him. Here and in other parts of the gospels, this is too much a cost for some. Some people are too comfortable, set in their ways, and desirous of control over their lives to be on mission with and follow God. 

A second example of the cost is when other things in our lives are more important than the call of Christ. Jesus personally calls a man to follow Him in verses 59-60, but the man was worried about his father’s funeral. The Lord was not suggesting that this man not care about or honor his Dad but instead wanted to measure the love he had for God compared to anyone else. Unfortunately, the man was more concerned with the issues and affairs of his life to go and proclaim the kingdom of God. His love for others superseded his love for Jesus. The cost was too high.

The last example of failing to count the cost comes in verse 61. This man volunteered to follow Christ but was too busy looking in the past instead of the future. His heart was not wholly on obedience in following the Lord’s will, and Jesus knew he would constantly look back. The man did not have a focus on God, nor did he have a vision of what it would cost him to obey moving forward. Jesus said someone like this is akin to one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back and is not fit for service in the kingdom of God.

Outside of the baseline costs of being a Christian, all of our lives are different, and that variance may constitute disparate costs for practically following Jesus. What may be too challenging for one person may be a mere afterthought to another. What may be a stumbling block for some may not even be a consideration for others. Each of us must count the overall and individual cost of following Christ, and when we do, we must never look back. Walking with Jesus for a lifetime is worth it no matter what.

Read This Week: Luke 8

The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts. Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches, and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. – Luke 8:11-15 NIV

So much of who we are and what takes place in our lives comes as a result of the condition of our hearts. Our heart is vital to the content of our journeys, families, relationships, and even our work. Solomon summed up the importance of the heart in the book of Proverbs chapter 4 verse 23: Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. It would be difficult to find a more profound explanation on this subject.

In Luke 8, Jesus points out through a parable that the heart is also the place that is central to salvation and receiving the word that God wants to impart to people. The Lord communicates this by identifying four different conditions of the heart through the imagery of four different types of soil where seed can fall and potentially grow. Jesus is explicit that seed is the word of God and the soil is the hearts of men and women. It begs the question of us: what is the condition of our heart?

The hard heart is first and belongs to the person who hears the word but allows the enemy to immediately take it away. Like soil that is constantly stepped and trampled on making it firm and hard, this type of heart is hardened by life and trauma, perhaps even spiritual hurt. Hard soil gives a seed no chance to sink in and grow, just as a hard heart does not give the word of God a chance to change them.

The shallow heart is one swayed and led by emotional swings and feelings. It does not give things enough time to settle and saturate so it can become what it needs to be. Like the rocky soil that appears like a place for seed to grow, it will not allow it to take definitive root. A shallow heart can be deceptive both to the individual and to others. It is as unpredictable as the emotions and whims it experiences.

The distracted heart can’t focus on what matters. It is too preoccupied and busy with everything that comes its way to hone in on the word of God or other life changing principles that will regenerate or develop it. Jesus said this type of heart and soil allows the seed of God’s word to be choked by life’s worries, riches, and pleasures, and they do not mature.

The good heart is one that hears the word, retains it, and by persevering, produces a crop. This is a heart that is receptive. It is not perfect or exceptional in its anatomy or make-up. What makes the good heart different is that it is open, willing, and pliable. It has the receptivity to accept the word, the teachability to retain the truth, and the humility to stick with it no matter what. Like good soil, it embraces the seed, allows it to sink in over time, and produce the fruit that it is supposed to. May God empower us to have a good heart condition.

Read This Week: Luke 7

When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’” – Luke 7:20 NIV

There is an old teaching that pain and uncertainty cannot be allowed to change our theology. Our various circumstances, no matter how difficult or arduous, do not have the power to negate the foundational truths about God and His purposes in the world. Yet, personal heartache, tragedy, and a drastic change in our lives can alter our perspectives even on things we had previously been certain of and believed for so long. This shift is called a moment of doubt.

One of the greatest examples of wrestling with doubt and fighting to maintain a grip on truth is in Luke 7. John the Baptist had been the forerunner of Jesus. He baptized him, preached His imminence, and called people to repent and come into the kingdom of God. He had seen the Messiah and watched as the heavens opened and God audibly pronounced His pleasure for His Son. The Bible even tells us that John leapt in the womb as an unborn child when he sensed the presence of Jesus. He believed and knew Christ was the One.

But now, John was in prison, and his situation had changed. He had been locked in a jail cell for months; the Jewish leaders were not helping him, his followers were not helping him, and it appeared Jesus was not helping him either. Anyone in his position would begin to question and even allow doubt to creep in.

The physical and emotional strain on John was intense, and when that happens, the spiritual perspective is impacted. That is why we see him struggling with his faith despite what he knows to be right about Jesus in verse 18 when he sends his disciples to ask the Lord a question: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Some translations say: shall we look for another?

This wrestling with doubt is common among the greatest of spiritual leaders, and it absolutely can be for us. When things get difficult it can open holes in our heart and mind that are susceptible to being filled with hesitation regarding the things we know to be true.

But doubt is not the same as unbelief. Doubt is more of an issue of the mind and asking why? Unbelief is of the will and refuses to believe God’s word and follow it. In this passage, John’s question of Jesus is not willful unbelief but was simply a moment of doubt brought on by suffering and trial, not unlike what we experience today. It was the temptation to look for another when the only one we need is right in front of us.

Jesus answers the disciples of John the way He answers us when we question. He pointed them and us toward the evidence of His power, goodness, love, and grace. He says in verse 22:

Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

Essentially, Jesus takes John back to the foundations of his faith. He reminded the Baptist of who He was. He affirmed that the principles of truth and the evidence of His glory were real and trustworthy. Jesus wanted John to know that His will, character, and purposes are eternal and true even when bad things happen. The Lord communicated that doubt doesn’t equal no faith, and it certainly doesn’t change one thing about God.

When Jesus said to John’s disciples, “Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me,” He was saying, look no further. He was saying I am the One; you can trust me. He is saying to them and us, I am who you are searching for. Hold on and look no further than Me in the midst of your doubts. I will get you through.

Read This Week: Luke 6

But to you who are listening, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them on the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
– Luke 6:27-31 NIV

One of the most difficult things to do in life is express love or care to someone who treats us poorly. It is equally challenging and improbable to love someone we consider an enemy. To deem another person an enemy is a serious thing unto itself. An enemy is antagonistic to another or a hostile, harmful adversary or force. A person who fits that bill would probably not be at the top of the list of people we actively love.

But in Luke 6, Jesus teaches in a way that assumes that anyone who lives for God and proclaims the gospel will have people who do not like them, hate them and are antagonistic toward them. Therefore, the Lord is careful to teach us what we are to do regarding those people in our lives. He says in verses 27-28: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Jesus’ words imply that not only should a Christian love someone who is antagonistic, hateful, or spiteful toward them, but they should do so actively and expressively with emotions and actions indicative of a Christ-follower. He said in verse 29:

If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.

This turning of the other cheek and giving to someone who steals from us is a difficult principle to absorb and one that seems impossible to do in real-life scenarios. And it is in our strength and volition, but it is not impossible through the power of the Holy Spirit. God can accomplish these miraculous relational tenets in our lives when we are doing life with and close to Him. We can have a heart attitude that responds with positivity when others are negative, generously when others are selfish, and love when others are cruel and unkind.

Jesus said, Do to others as you would have them do to you. This encouragement from the word assumes the best of us spiritually and suggests that we imitate the example of Jesus himself when it comes to His enemies, antagonists, and those who seek to destroy His name. We can do this as well. Vindication and retribution in front of our enemies is not the goal of God’s children. It is the consistent displaying of His character and glory in our daily lives, especially in situations that are beyond us in our strength.

Our current world could use the example of more people who turn the other cheek to aggression, violence, slander, and cruelty and respond to it with humility, grace, kindness, service, and love. This behavior is what the Lord Jesus wants for us always.