Who hear

“but I say to you who hear, love your enemies”  Luke 6:27

Who hear – Do you suppose that we really hear what Jesus is saying in this sentence?  Oh, I’m sure we hear the words, but I am just as sure that we are deaf to what they really mean.  Jesus addressed those within the sound of his voice, but he spoke only to those whose minds were open (the Greek is “to those hearing” – tois akoususin).  This command, “Love your enemies”, is not for everyone.  It is only for those who want to hear, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”  It is only for those who want to hear, “When you did it to the least of these, you did it to me.”  It is not for those who worry about the consequences.  It is for those who have been set free.

A man I know once said, “We can’t do this.  What would happen to us?  Life would be chaos.  Anyone could take advantage of us.”  He was right, of course.  But that’s Jesus’ point.  When you decide to love your enemies, you decide that the consequences of this world are not going to dictate how you will live.  You decide that the power this world exhibits does not control your actions.  You decide to live by the standards of another kingdom.  You act as resident aliens.  And you don’t care what happens as a result. 

Jesus demonstrated what it means to love your enemies.  It means the cross!  That’s why not everyone will hear.  Taking up your cross is opening yourself to everything that the world can hurl at you.  And Jesus says that the world will hurl its sticks and stones.  But be of good cheer.  Jesus has overcome the world.  The consequences of living according to God’s plan of love are not finally determined by the power of this world. 

This is no easy task.  It takes constant conscious dependence to place my life at risk for the sake of Jesus’ way.  I have to overcome years of power training in the wrong direction.  I have to become weak in order to see God’s strength.  Broken bread and poured out wine.  It is a meal fit only for the King.

Are you listening today?