One of the Hard Sayings of Jesus

“But I say to you, love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you.”

Matthew 5:44 (NCV) 

The best way to avoid bitterness when you’ve been mistreated, exploited, or falsely accused is to pray for those who hurt you. The world says love your friends - not your enemies, but Jesus gave us a higher command. His law of love includes loving our enemies. How do you do that?

The first step in loving your enemies, Jesus tells us, is to pray for those who hurt you. Do you do that? Initially, I find that really challenging depending on how badly I’ve been hurt. My flesh wants to get mad, or worse, get even. But Jesus’ higher law of love is an act of the will, and not simply an emotion. Loving your enemies is an expression of Calvary’s love. After all, God loved us when we were enemies. In Romans 5:10 (NIV) the Bible tells us, “For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!”  

When we choose to love our enemies, we are responding like Jesus. In Matthew 5:45-47 (NIV), Jesus said, “In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For He gives His sunlight to both the evil and the good, and He sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.” What a contrast between how the world loves and how a Christ follower is to love! 

Still, you may be wondering how do I love like that? It begins in prayer. Let the hurt you feel drive you to pray. Be honest about your emotions with God. He cares about how you feel. Something miraculous happens when we pray with such honesty about those who have hurt us. God begins to heal our broken hearts, and we find it easier to replace the pain with compassion. Prayer takes the venom out of our attitudes. We don’t have to remain the victim even after we’ve been victimized. Through Christ we have been given the victory! The Cross has broken the power of sin and enables us to love our enemies.

Jesus said this kind of love is a mark of maturity, proving that we are legitimate children of our Heavenly Father. It also sets us apart from the world around us and promises an eternal reward! Perhaps today’s passage on prayer has struck a chord in your heart. No doubt, it is one of the hard sayings of Jesus, especially when you’ve been wounded. Maybe it was long ago, or just recently, and try-as-you-may, the pain won’t go away. Take a moment right now and share that with God in prayer. Tell Him how you feel and begin to pray for those who hurt you. Release them to God and ask Him to help you love them as He loves you. 

---

To read this devotional online or catch up on past ones, visit kerryshook.org/blog.

As you continue your quiet time, prayer is a powerful way to stay connected to God and the family of Christ. The Woodlands Church Prayer Board offers a simple space to lift others in prayer and let them know you are standing with them. You can also share your own request and receive prayer support whenever you need it.

Another way to bless others is through giving. This season, we’re celebrating how God is moving in the next generation by placing a Bible in the hands of every student connected to Kerry Shook Ministries. If you’d like to learn more, you can visit: Be Part of Growing Faith That Endures.