Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples if their “righteousness” did not “exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees” they would, “in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus then shared about “murder, adultery and swearing”, and He told His disciples, “Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yes, yes; No, no: for whatsoever is more than these comes of evil.” Jesus went on to say, “You have heard that it has been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. But I say unto you, That you resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue you at the law, and take away your coat, let him have your cloak also. And whosoever shall compel you to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asks you, and from him that would borrow of you turn not you away”, and in chapter five and verse forty-three of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus referred His disciples to how they heard, “love your neighbor, and hate your enemy” where we read:
You have heard that it has been said,
You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.
The verse reads, “You have heard that it has been said, ...” Matthew began with the words, “you have heard” which means “the disciples were endowed with the faculty of hearing, attended to, considered and perceived ” “that is has been said” which means “there was declaration, utterance and proclamation”. Jesus referred to another law His disciples “heard” in the past.
The verse continues, “... You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.” Matthew added the words, “you shall love” which means “the disciples were to welcome, entertain, be fond of, and love dearly” “your neighbor“ or “the disciple's other fellow man irrespective of nation and religion with whom we live or whom we chance to meet” “and hate” which means “and pursue with hatred and detest” “your enemy” or “the disciple's those who are odious, hateful, hostile and opposing”. Jesus referred to the teaching that people were to “love their neighbors” and “hate their enemies”.
When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus again referred to a teaching that was prevalent in the day of the disciples. It was a natural thing to hate people that were “enemies” and love people who were not. Jesus challenged His disciples in many areas of previous teachings, and there is no doubt He did the same with this one. God desires a relationship with people who are actually His “enemies” before they receive His Son Jesus Christ as their “Savior and Lord”, and those who are wise shall pay particular attention to what Jesus declares about “loving neighbors and hating enemies”.
Next time Jesus gives His disciples a new command concerning, “loving your neighbor” and “hating your enemy”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
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Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
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