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Jesus often taught about relationships.
Matthew 5:46-47, Jesus challenged, “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?” Using this text as our springboard, let us look at three important lessons Jesus taught.
Jesus teaches forgiveness. Matthew 5:38, “You have heard it said: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not seek revenge on the evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.” The Old Testament way of treating others in response to how they treated you – seemed logical, even natural. In reality, as Martin Luther King, Jr., puts it: “That old law about ‘an eye for an eye’ just leaves everybody blind.”
However, frustrations of taking the high road time and time again, and still being attacked, eats away at us. Matthew 18:21-22, “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Seven times? Jesus said to him, I say not only seven times, but seventy times seven times.” This was not an indication of an exact number of times one must forgive another (70 x 7 = 490), nor was it a rule to keep track (am I on number 187 or 203?); rather, it symbolizes limitlessness, even generosity.
Looking at the context of the chapter, Jesus was speaking not only about forgiving but also about one’s character and how one chooses to act. This admonition follows his teaching on discipline in the church and restoring a sinning brother. Forgiveness and restoration are key teachings of Christ.
A second lesson Jesus taught was to love everyone. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Leviticus 19:18 states, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 6:9-10 “… let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.” 1 John 4:7-8, “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loves is born of God, and knows God.” Matthew 22:39 tells us, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Who do we need to love? Those closest to us, our neighbors, and – YES – even our enemies. Matthew 5:44a, Jesus declares, “I say to you, Love your enemies…” He is admonishing us to break from a natural response (payback) to offering loving-kindness when it is not deserved.
The final lesson Jesus presents may actually be the hardest to live out: “…pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44b). Praying for one’s enemy is taking them to God. The prayer Jesus has in mind here is for their good. This is not the time for prayers of “let’s get ‘em.”
In our hurt, we ask, “How can he expect that?!” Jesus fully understands the heartache and courage it takes for us to be obedient in this. This is the kind of prayer Jesus gave as he hung on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). It’s what Stephen did, in Acts 7:60, as he was being stoned, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” It is the prayer for God’s Will to be done, not our own.
Jesus knew these actions to forgive, to love, and to pray for one’s enemies, were important. First, for the impact it may have on the enemy’s life to bring them into relationship with God. And secondly, the knowledge that, by obeying these commands, our hearts would be freed from the prisons of hurt, hate, and desire for revenge. The poison that covers our spirits and causes bitterness to spew out in our words and actions will be cleaned out and we will be truly alive.
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