[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during April 2026]
You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy’. But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Matthew 5 v43-44 [ESVUK]
These words come from Matthew’s account of the teachings of Jesus collectively known as the Sermon on the Mount. He was speaking in the context of a nation under occupation at a time when there was no shortage of enemies and persecution.
With the season of Easter still in our minds, we recall that the original Easter included the pre-eminent example of both love and prayer:
And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Luke 23 v34 [ESVUK]
The date of Easter varies from year to year. Most western denominations follow the ecclesiastical calendar of the Roman Catholic Church, which uses the Gregorian calendar whereas those denominations which follow the Eastern Orthodox system refer to the Julian calendar, resulting in a different date for Easter.[1] It is ironic that this difference has, historically, caused division and enmity even amongst those who claim to follow the example that Jesus showed.
In the spirit of Nicodemus we might be tempted to ask “Who is mine enemy?” but a few minutes’ thought will show that we, too, can think of plenty of candidates. The range is extensive: world leaders who threaten our sense of temporal security, opportunists who exploit our need for various essentials of life, neighbours who act in an unneighbourly way, right down to individuals who have upset us. Indeed, as Ko-ko the executioner said, “I’ve Got a Little List”.[2]
Jesus too had a list of those that we might regard as enemies.[3] It includes instances of religious opposition, persecution and domestic disputes:
And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household.
Matthew 10 v36 [ESVUK]
We may find it difficult to love our enemies but we certainly can pray for them. King Solomon described the outcome of a more pro-active relationship with our enemies:
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.
Proverbs 25 v21-22 [ESVUK]
Returning to our opening verse we see an emphasis on love and prayer. Luke’s account of the same teaching adds a positive dimension:
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High
Luke 6 v35 [ESVUK]
Now, where’s that list?
References:
[1] ‘Easter Comes But Twice A Year’, HBC reflection, May 2024
[2] ‘The Mikado’, Gilbert and Sullivan (1885)
[3] Matthew 10:16-36
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Last week’s reflection: Life After Easter
Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © Steve Humphreys