seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Matthew 5:43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 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. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
I remember a little girl who use to say "I pray for you"..... to everyone she didn't like. If someone bumped into her.... she would frown and then say "I pray for you".It was more like a curse than a promise.
Now.... Matthew... the Apostle who wrote this gospel..... was a tax collector before Jesus invited him to join the Mission.
Do you think Matthew took offense to being the bad guy in the lesson? "Even tax collectors"..... why that's like saying "even the scum"..... the way it's used here. Didn't the tax collectors have feelings too? Or was that the point?
Love your enemies..... that's a tough ask. There are a couple of young men walking around the east coast right now I'd like to smack the fire out of...... but I have to love them...... I've been hating on one of them since 1962.... that's a long time doing something just to stop. Is there such a thing as hater's whiplash?
Then again.... loving someone who loves you is no test of faith. Loving a Pig.... that's a test.... and I'm still working on that one.... I'm looking for a redeeming value in that man.... and it's really really hidden right now.
I wonder.... Did Jesus pray for Herod, Herodias, and Salome?
Well, looks like I have to continue praying for a Pig.....
