Luke 6:27-31

 ““But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other as well, and from the person who takes away your coat, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks you, and do not ask for your possessions back from the person who takes them away. Treat others in the same way that you would want them to treat you.”

— ‭‭Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭27‬-‭31‬‬

Could write essay on similarities and differences on Matthew’s and Luke’s version of this sermon. Many have and it’s intriguing to say the least…not as simple as Matthew emphasizes Jewish themes (but that is true).

Luke has fewer beatitudes and then some woes. Can’t explain now. Then jumps into blessing those who persecute. The “but I say to you” doesn’t fit in Luke as it does in Matthew, because Matthew has a whole section of Jesus raising standards of the Law. This section of Luke’s sermon seems random to some degree. 

It’s included to counter the attitudes of the wealthy who are spiritually poor. Those who are persecuting the righteous. Luke sets up two groups in the opening of the sermon that sets the stage for the rest of the book, a great reversal, that the poor, outcast, needy are those who respond to the gospel (typically) and surprisingly enter the kingdom, while the rich and self sufficient (and spiritually “acceptable”) are left on the outside. They reject the Messiah and persecute the true followers. This has foundations in the OT. Matthew makes it “poor in spirit,” but several Psalms talk about the “pious poor.”

Anyway, this section may be good for us to think about forgiveness or kindness in general, but it’s better to keep in context of discipleship. Jesus is telling His followers that the wealthy, laughing, persecuting crowd is distinct from them (not that Christians don’t have fun…not the point). But when facing persecution, oscillation, separation, hostility for following Messiah, the proper response is love. That’s the type of enemy that Jesus is talking about here…not political, national, personal, familial, etc. 

The person who rebukes, judges, separates from, or even punishes me for following Jesus is still a person. And I am commanded to treat them as an image bearer. By doing so, they may see God’s love for the first time.