Week 6: The Upside Down Kingdom
In a world of war, back stabbing, lies, hate, and pain from all of the above… Jesus invites us, again, to join an upside-down kingdom. When it feels like retaliation is the only way out, mockery, gossip… Jesus invites us to do something unthinkable. The bible says, because of sin, we were enemies of God… disconnected from him and his way. But even while we were enemies… he sent his son to die for us. That would be like doing the nicest thing you’ve ever done for anyone to the person who deserves it the least, that you despise the most. Let’s discover what exists on the other side of an unthinkable response.
Read Luke 6:27-35 (ESV)
27 “ But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 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, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
Reflection:
Is there someone you need to forgive today?
Why does God call us to love and forgive even when it’s difficult?
Additional Resources