Luke 6:27-38 (NRSV)
Read Luke 6:27-38 on biblegateway.com
Verse 27"But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, Verse 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. Verse 29If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Verse 30Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Verse 31Do to others as you would have them do to you. Verse 32"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. Verse 33If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. Verse 34If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. Verse 35But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Verse 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Verse 37"Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; Verse 38give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back."
Devotion
God’s mercy is…compassion and charity.
In the fall, the Wednesday Bible School students usually create a covenant of behavior for the year. In the past these have often included the Golden Rule of doing unto others what you would like done to you and many other “don’ts.” This year’s rules are different—their list is one of compassion with “rules” for loving one another, praying for each other, being nice, listening, and helping others.
In this way they are echoing the words of Jesus to love your enemies, turn the other cheek, pray for those who abuse you. Most importantly, I have witnessed them living into their covenant when they help others search for items in a scavenger hunt, help or come to the aid of someone who has been hurt. As one young boy confided to me, “This is hard work, but it feels good when you do it.” How can you follow the lead of these students and do the hard work of showing your neighbor compassion as God has challenged us?
Prayer
Dearest Lord, grant us understanding and mercy when dealing with others. Help us to be instruments of peace in our broken world. Amen.