Love Your Enemies

If we take Matthew 5:43-48 seriously, then there is no room for hating our enemies.

Jesus makes it clear that we will have enemies.

But we are not to hate them.  We should be praying for them, just like Jesus.

Gethsemane Prayer

Matthew 26:36-44 describes Jesus’ prayer time right before being arrested on the night of his betrayal.

It is especially interesting to me that God the Father’s answer to Jesus’ humble prayer was “No.”

So I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised or upset when God tells me “No.”

And I should pray more humbly, especially when I already have the sense that I’m asking for something that’s outside God’s will.

The “word of God” as the Law

Jesus uses the phrase “word of God” to refer to the Old Testament law in Matthew 15:6 and Mark 7:13.

He argues with the Pharisees and teachers of the law that it is hypocritical to allow adult children to devote property to God to avoid using the funds to care for ailing, elderly parents.

Don’t Mess with the Holy Spirit

We read–in Matthew 12:32, Mark 3:29, and Luke 12:10–a strong warning against blaspheming against the Holy Spirit.

Speaking against Jesus is forgivable, but speaking against the Spirit has consequences in this life and the next.

What makes this sin so serious?

John the Baptist’s Prediction

In Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, and John 1:33, we read that John the Baptist drew an important distinction between his own ministry and Jesus’.

John says that he baptizes with water, but Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit.

Babies and the Holy Spirit

In Matthew 1:18, we read that the Holy Spirit is involved in Mary’s pregnancy and Jesus’ conception.

And in Luke 1:15, we learn that John the Baptist “will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth.”

Between the Lord’s Supper and Arrest

1. Right after singing a song, the disciples left the room where they celebrated Passover
2. Jesus quotes scripture
3. He anticipates his betrayal and abandonment
4. Peter argues with Jesus
5. Jesus attempts to correct Peter
6. Peter still argues
7. How often do we argue with God?
8. All the other disciples agreed with Peter. I’ve never noticed this detail before.
9. Jesus went to a private garden to prepare in prayer
10. Where and when do I pray? What are my habits?
11. Jesus admits to James and John and Peter that he’s depressed
12. He asks his friends to stay near him
13. Even Jesus desired companionship when his life was nearing its end
14. Jesus was not a loner, even though he appears introverted on occasion
15. Jesus catches his friends sleeping
16. Jesus tells them to pray to “stay out of temptation”
17. When’s the last time I prayed to “stay out of temptation?”
18. Jesus acknowledges his willingness to do anything God expects
19. What am I unwilling to do?
20. Jesus’ friends fall asleep a second and third time
21. Jesus announces the arrivalof his betrayer to his followers

The Lord’s Prayer

My favorite analysis of Jesus’ prayer is ACTS:

Adoration
Confession
Thanksgiving
Supplication

First New Testament Prayer

In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, he fixes a misconception.

Prayer is for our enemies, too, not only our friends.