There are few ways that better to show people the love and character of Jesus, then for someone to do evil to you and you to respond to them with good. For someone to try to take food out of your mouth and you to respond by feeding them. For someone to try to bring pain to your life and you respond by bringing joy, kindness, and encouragement to theirs. This shows those around us exactly what Jesus was like, because Jesus was the perfect example of loving his enemies.
Jesus was loving his enemies when he was born in a manager because no one recognized him to be the King of kings. Jesus was loving his enemies when he lived the absolute perfect life and never sinned against somebody. Jesus was loving his enemies when Jesus was arrested and nailed to a cross by people who he created. Jesus essentially said, “You've wronged me yet, but I'm going to step into the situation and I'm going to provide the resolution. In fact, you are not going to be the one who has to pay for what you've done, I'll pay for it. The harmony between God and man matters so much that I will take those sins upon myself.” That's Jesus loving his enemies.
DISCUSSION/REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Think about difficult people who may have hurt you or wronged you in some way. We are challenged to think about how to respond to them not based on how they've treated us, but instead, the way Jesus has treated you. How has Jesus been treated by me and what would Jesus do in this situation?
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