Scripture: Luke 6:27-38
27 “But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; 28 bless those who curse you; pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you, and if anyone takes away what is yours, do not ask for it back again. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive payment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 Instead, love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap, for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”
Questions
- What does it mean to bless someone?
- What does it mean to curse someone?
- What does it mean for someone to be an enemy or a friend?
Background
Related Scriptures: Numbers 6:22-27; Matthew 5:43-47, 10:13; Romans 12:1-14; 1 Peter 3:9
εὐλογέω (bless) has two meanings that are intertwined. One is to speak well of someone, the literal meaning of the compound word. The other is to pronounce good on someone in God’s name, giving someone’s God’s grace in the midst of life. Jesus seems to mean both in this passage.
This section is specifically for believers; these commands are not placed on others but conditions we place on ourselves.
What enemy means in this passage is someone who calls you an enemy, someone who has enmity for you, rather than someone you have enmity for.
The idea of blessing one’s enemies is something that is unique to Jesus and does not originate in Judaism.
The gospel bestows love for hostility, benevolence for hatred, prayer for curses, help for the persecuted, patience for the hungry and grace of reward. How much more perfect the athlete who does not feel injury[1] Ambrose of Milian.
Reflection
“I’m proud of you” these four words can have a tremendous impact on a person’s outlook in life. Studies show that children (particularly boys) do not hear these words enough while growing up. But these words are not important for children only, adults can benefit from these and similar words. Positive affirmations of a person’s worth and place help them to understand that they matter. Such positive affirmations have a wonderful impact on a person’s feeling of worth. People who receive regular praise feel better equipped to face the world around them. Such positive affirmation also leads to closer bonds of friendship, since the person receiving the compliment feels closer to the person who gave it. And the person who speaks these words of encouragement also sees benefits since. Looking for reasons to be proud of others and speaking such blessings helps change our perception of the world. When we speak positively of others we begin to see the world in a more positive light. Speaking positively of another person is the first and most basic definition of the word translated bless in Luke 6. It literally means “speak good” toward another person.
Understanding the power of a positive word helps us to understand Jesus’ words in Luke 6. Jesus expects his followers to speak positively, not simply to and of our loved ones, but also our enemies. An enemy is a person with whom there is some level of hostility. The practical result of speaking positively about the people with whom there is hostility is that you do not harbor hatred for that person. That individual may continue to view you as an enemy but you will not view that person as such. Further, when you are speaking positively to that person they are less likely to hate you and more inclined to feel kindness toward you. Jesus is not encouraging lying or flattery towards others, but speaking well of and to them when possible. Jesus recognized that one of the reasons enmity exists between people is that they dwell on the negatives of others and never see each other as God’s image. We tend to allow our negativity to spiral to the point that we increase in hatred for others. Jesus wants us to confront this spiral in our lives, with the blessings we other to others. He understands that friction my still remain between people, but knows that the act of blessing another places us in a position open to forgiveness and reconciliation.
But offering a blessing in the Bible is not limited to simply speaking positively towards or about others. Biblical ideas of blessing include calling for God’s blessing on others. In Numbers we see the priests were supposed to pray a blessing over the people of Israel for God’s presence in their individual lives. Jesus’ words in Luke also include this concept. While we do not have it spelled out for us, I think that Jesus understood there are people and situations where it is beyond us to speak good on or to that person. But we can still bless that person, we can still call for God’s loving and gracious presence to be on that person. Blessing people in this way is a demonstration of our character and relationship with God. When Peter says “you are a royal priesthood” of believers, one of the elements he implies is that we are people who are to bless others the way the Israelite priests did. Calling for God’s blessing on another person’s life. As Jesus says in Matthew God’s compassion is so great that God sends blessings (like rain) on both the just and unjust. If God is willing to be a blessing on those individuals who hate God, we who claim to serve God can pray for such blessings in the lives of others. We can and should desire that God’s blessings reach every person on earth and even if we cannot bless someone with a positive words to them we can pray God bless them. This leaves us with a challenge for today, be active about blessing others. Actively speak well of others and affirm them to their face. Actively remind people of their worth and place with God. Along with this actively pray for God’s blessing on others, by name. Get away from the habit of generically asking for blessings on your community or country. Pray God’s blessing on those you hate. Create a world where you want God’s grace to flow through society.
[1] Arthur A. Just, ed., Luke, Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture 108.
Squinting in the Light 
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