Beyond the Weekend: Taking Jesus Seriously
What if the most famous sermon ever preached wasn't meant to be admired—but lived? Jesus didn't give us the Sermon on the Mount to impress us. He gave it to transform us. This summer, we're diving into Matthew 5 to wrestle with the hard questions: How do I actually love my enemies? What does it mean to deal with anger at its root? How do I live authentically before God, not just before people? Jesus ended with a warning: hear these words and do nothing, and your life is built on sand. But hear them and act—that's building on rock. Are you ready to start building?
Praying for Enemies
Read: Matthew 5:43-44 Listen: Matthew 5
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:44
Jesus doesn’t lower the intensity of his teaching. He calls his people to pray for their enemies and those who harm them. Jesus doesn’t ask his followers to do something he isn’t willing to do himself. He would model this loving behavior on the cross. While under excruciating pain, as people sneer and spit on him, Jesus prays for the very people who are killing him. He cries, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Jesus loves even his enemies. He calls and empowers his followers to do the same.
Just because we have enemies doesn’t mean we have to be an enemy. Through the power of Jesus, we can pray for the good and blessing of those we don’t like or have hurt us. Praying for enemies doesn’t mean we ignore the pain or dismiss the wound. Prayer becomes a bridge between our hurt and healing. The situation may not change, but God can bring healing to us. Prayer enables God’s love to fill the corners of our hearts, rather than allowing bitterness or hatred to set up house. As we pray for our enemies, we are taking Jesus seriously.
TODAY: Think of someone who hurt you and whom you struggle to love. Pray a blessing over their life and allow God to work in your heart. “Father, I ask that you would bless __________________ in some unexpected way. Bring your healing into my heart and help me love them as you do. Amen.”
