“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.”– Luke 6:35
Luke 6:35 Meaning
In this verse, Jesus commands us to love our enemies. This may sound difficult, even impossible, especially when we think about the people who may hurt us or treat us poorly. However, Jesus shows us a different way to think about love and kindness. He not only instructs us to love our enemies, but He also emphasizes the importance of doing good for them. This is a call for us to step out of our comfort zones and demonstrate true love, even when it is hard. We often want to retaliate or respond with anger, but Jesus is teaching us that love is a powerful tool that can change hearts.
The phrase “lend to them without expecting to get anything back” encourages us to give freely, without the expectation of repayment. This is contrary to how many of us operate in our relationships. We often seek to repay kindness with kindness and keep a mental score of who owes who. But Jesus wants us to act out of pure love, just like His Father does. This kind of love can bring us closer to God and help us become His children in spirit. God’s love is great and doesn’t depend on our actions; instead, it is graciously generous.
Luke 6:35 Commentary and Explanation
Understanding the context of this verse helps us grasp the depth of its message. Jesus speaks to His followers in a time when societal norms often encouraged revenge and enmity. In the world today, peace between people seems so far away, but Jesus’ teachings shine a light on how we can foster kindness and love even in the most challenging situations. Society teaches that it’s only fair to repay good with good and evil with evil. However, Jesus calls us to a higher standard. He wants us to break free from this cycle of negativity.
When Jesus tells us to love our enemies, He displays the essence of sacrificial love. This love is not dependent on how others treat us; it is unconditional. One of the most striking examples of this can be seen on the cross when Jesus prayed for those who crucified Him, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). This powerful display of love highlights the radical nature of faith Jesus is calling us to embrace.
Living out this commandment in daily life can seem daunting. We may encounter individuals who, through their actions or words, can make it very difficult to show love. But if we lean on God and allow Him to work in our hearts, we can find the compassion needed to view our enemies through His eyes.
It’s also essential to think about what Jesus means by a “reward” in this verse. Many people view the reward as a physical or material blessing, but this is about something much more profound. The reward for acting in love is spiritual growth and strengthening our relationship with God. As we practice loving our enemies, we develop the ability to see people as God sees them and our character reflects Jesus more closely. Our reward lies in becoming children of the Most High, embodying kindness and compassion even in our toughest moments.
Context of Luke 6:35
Luke Chapter 6 is significant as it contains a part of Jesus’ teaching known as the Sermon on the Plain. Similar to the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew, this passage covers essential topics concerning how to live in right relationship with God and our neighbors. Jesus teaches about love, forgiveness, and treating others unselfishly, which are core principles of Christianity.
In the broader context, Jesus is addressing a crowd that includes both his followers and those who oppose him. He lays out the radical nature of His expectations for His followers, calling them to lift the standards of love and kindness above societal norms. Just before verse 35, Jesus speaks about loving others without expecting anything in return. This emphasis is crucial, as it sets the stage for our understanding of loving our enemies. He is urging us to adopt a generous spirit that mirrors God’s love.
Contextually, the cultural and historical backdrop also informs this verse. In Jewish tradition, it was common to love one’s neighbor while hating one’s enemy. Jesus directly challenges this mentality, broadening the understanding of love to include not just friends but also foes. His teachings are radical and transformative, inviting us to redefine our relationships based on grace rather than merit.
This context reminds us that Jesus did not merely preach love; He lived it out every single day. He associated with outcasts, healed the sick, and showed love even to those who plotted against Him. His example becomes our guiding light in practicing love that transcends the ordinary.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Luke 6:35
To fully appreciate Luke 6:35, we can break it down into several key components:
1. “Love your enemies.” This command feels challenging, but it’s essential to remember that love is not merely a feeling; it’s a choice. Choosing to love our enemies means treating them with kindness despite how we may feel about them. It is an act of obedience to God and a reflection of His character.
2. “Do good to them.” This part emphasizes action. Love is not passive; it calls us to actively seek the good of others, even those we may not like. Simple gestures, including showing kindness or providing help, can change the hearts of those who oppose us.
3. “Lend to them without expecting to get anything back.” Here, Jesus introduces the idea of generosity. This act of lending implies not only financial support but also offering our time, resources, and efforts without seeking anything in return. It’s an invitation to serve selflessly.
4. “Then your reward will be great.” The concept of reward here is deeply spiritual. Jesus encourages us that our good deeds do not go unnoticed. While the world may overlook our acts of kindness, God values them highly.
5. “You will be children of the Most High.” This statement carries significant weight as it aligns us with God’s character. Showing love, kindness, and forgiveness makes us reflections of God’s love. We become representatives of His grace in the world and experience the fullness of our identity in Him.
Lessons From Luke 6:35
There are several valuable lessons we can take away from Luke 6:35 that can be applied to our daily lives:
1. Choose love over hate: It is natural to dislike those who treat us poorly. This verse challenges us to consciously choose to love everyone, even those who actions hurt us. When feeling anger or resentment, we can prayerfully ask God to help us reframe our hearts towards love.
2. Practice kindness actively: Loving our enemies is actionable. We can think of practical ways to show kindness. It could be as simple as a smile, a compliment, or helping someone in need. When we offer kindness, we often find that walls between us begin to break down.
3. Generosity without strings: Generosity often comes with unspoken expectations. But Jesus flips that idea upside down. We are called to give without expecting anything in return. In doing so, we can experience genuine joy and peace in our hearts, knowing that our actions align with God’s will.
4. Spiritual rewards: In our world, it’s easy to seek immediate gratification. But Jesus reminds us that our rewards may not come in the form of worldly success. Instead, we are rewarded spiritually for choosing love and kindness. The peace of knowing we acted in alignment with God is a wonderful reward in itself.
5. Reflect God’s character: Every time we imitate God’s love, we shine His light to those around us. Loving our enemies reflects the heart of Christ and sets an example for others to follow. Our willingness to love can have a ripple effect, planting seeds of faith and kindness.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Luke 6:35 encapsulates a profound message about love that goes beyond what we naturally assume. It challenges us to think differently, act with bravery, and reflect God’s unconditional love in our lives. Following this teaching will not always be easy, but with God’s help, we can become vessels of love and grace.
As we ponder this verse, let us remember that we are all God’s children, called to imitate His love. We can pray for God to heal our hearts and show us how to act lovingly toward everyone, even those who may challenge us. Let us take those words into action in our lives, as we strive to show love not just to our friends, but to our enemies too, enriching our relationships and growing closer to God.
For more engaging topics, you can explore insightful articles like Luke 6:20 or check out Bible verses about the wrath of God.