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TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:44-45

Read: Matthew 5:44-45
Listen: Matthew 5

TODAY’S MESSAGE

Jesus’s audience probably wondered why they needed to rethink and show such radical love toward their enemies. Jesus answers by talking about the character of God. God provides rain for everyone. Likewise, he shines the sun on every house, every farm and every vineyard. In Luke 6:36, Jesus says something very similar, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” God sends his mercy on the righteous and unrighteous —indiscriminate of their behavior.

Think of the child who takes the time to open the door for others at the grocery store. If we asked them why they open the door for others, we could imagine them answering with great pride, “That’s what my dad does,” or “That’s what my mom does.”

Why then pray for those who persecute us? That’s what God would do. In his heavenly Father’s character, Jesus prayed for the perpetrators (Luke 23:34) when he was being beaten and crucified. What’s more—Jesus did this for us. Romans 5:8-10 tells us Jesus died for us while we were enemies. The grace of our Father is our why. It motivates us to love and resemble God’s character to the world.

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

Listen to our Ada Worship sing Living Hope. As you listen to the song (featuring a recent baptism service), allow the words to remind you of God’s great mercy, grace and loving-kindness toward you. May it compel you to show that same love to those around you.

NEW TESTAMENT READING PLAN

Join us this year as we read through the New Testament.

Today’s reading is Romans 11.

Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.