Matthew 5:43-48

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i] and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  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?  Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. - Matthew 5:43-48

Dear Jesus,

As you sat on that hill telling us to love our enemies that we may be sons of our Father in heaven, you knew that in a few short months, as the perfect Son of God, you'd have to pray from the horrible cross, "Father, forgive them.  They do not know what they are doing."  Like the sun and the rain your Father sends, he also sent you for all people.  Fill me with that same indiscriminate love for all people, even those who disappoint and mistreat me.  I want to reflect the identity you have given me as a redeemed child of God who has your blood running through my spiritual veins.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

God wants our enemies to see the family resemblance between him and us. 

Additional Reading: Romans 12