loving

Matthew 5, 6, & 7 are what is mostly known as the Sermon on the Mount.

It's Jesus speaking to a large crowd.

In it Jesus outlines a LOT of major ideas, ideas that at the time were astoundingly radical.

I think they still are ;-)

Try reading through those 3 chapters slowly because they are fat with ideas, concepts that are major pillars of our thinking.

Here's the last few verses of chapter 5 with concepts that are just as radical today as they were 2000 yrs ago.


Matthew 5

43 "You have heard the law that says,

     'Love your neighbor'

     and hate your enemy.

44 But I say,

     love your enemies!

     Pray for those who persecute you!

45 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.

46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that?

     Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.

47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else?

     Even pagans do that.

48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.



What would our lives & world be like if we did this?