The Romans would sometimes put dozens-in a few cases that we know of, thousands-of Jews to death (usually by crucifixion) just to flex their muscle. Jesus was talking to people who were not only threatened by vicious terrorist enemies, they were already conquered by them. When Jesus said “love your enemies,” there was an enemy that every Jewish listener would instantly think of: the Romans, the group of people who carried out Christ’s execution. Jesus was telling us to love members of ISIS ( or any other terrorist group). Jesus was telling us to love Osama bin Laden. So for Americans, the word used would include someone like Osama bin Laden. The Greek word used is echthroi, which is often used in the broadest sense to include religious, political, and personal enemies. The key to understanding what Jesus meant when he used the word ‘enemy’ is all about context. We would prefer that ‘enemy’ mean ‘grumpy neighbor.’ While it is true, we are to love our grumpy neighbors, God calls us to so much more. We like to soften the meaning of enemy when God calls us to something as radical as loving them. “When Jesus told us to love our enemy, he didn’t mean someone threatening our life, what he meant was someone who we don’t get along with.” In order to know what Jesus meant by “love your enemies,” we should take a look at the two words: ‘enemy’ and ‘love.’ Enemy: Your Grumpy Neighbor? The command is often ignored or if taught, it isn’t taken very seriously. There isn’t a command from God that Christians try to get out of more than love your enemies. Today we aren’t just supposed to love our neighbors, we are commanded to love our enemies… and it is a condition for becoming a child of God. With the coming of Jesus, it became mandatory. The Old Testament seemingly allowed Israel to use violence against their enemies, but in any case, this wasn’t the ideal. Here Jesus takes the command to “love your neighbor as yourself” and stretches it to its limits. While nowhere in the Old Testament is it commanded to hate your enemy, it was commonplace to do so. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. The new command of Jesus can be better translated to “Do not use violence to resist evil.” Why though? Because Jesus brought a new way of living… Behold, Something New In the Old Testament, the word was used to describe military action, and in the New Testament, it was used to describe violent revolts. The Greek word for ‘resist’ is anthistemi, and it most often refers specifically to violent resistance. With Jesus, this command is overturned and replaced with “do not resist an evil person.” The justice of all the other lands around Israel was more like “ten eyes for an eye.” God was taking his people on a journey towards enemy love. This Old Testament command of “an eye for an eye” seems barbaric but it was actually intended to limit retribution. You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. The culmination of this trajectory came in the way of Jesus. God had been taking his people on a trajectory away from violence since the time of Noah (Genesis 6:11, 13). Jesus was known for holding authority over and above the scriptures of the prophets. Let’s take a look at the most radical and crucially central command of Christian living. The single most defining characteristic of a Christ-follower is the most offensive position in America, and therefore it has become the least taught. The story of how Christianity got hijacked by empire is a sad one, and it is the reason why most Christians ignore Christ’s commands today. Until the 4th century, followers of Christ lived out enemy love even in the face of death, never acting violently towards their oppressors.įor early Christians, enemy love was the hallmark of what it meant to believe in Jesus. This command of enemy love became the most-often-quoted verse during the first four centuries of the Christian church. Jesus died, out of love, for his enemies.īecause enemy love is what was enacted on the cross, it is central to the Christian lifestyle. He didn’t just teach this idea of “enemy love,” he lived it throughout his entire life. He taught those who would be willing to be his disciples to love their enemies. Jesus Christ was oppressed, persecuted, hunted, imprisoned, tortured, and murdered by organized government and religion.
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