Blessings for Bad Drivers
I don't know about you, but I don't normally hurl names or insults at people. Rarely do I curse people or heap judgments upon them, especially out-loud. But a lot of that changes when I get behind the wheel of the car and see people make questionable, unsafe and annoying driving decisions.
Luke 6:27-36 in the NET translation reads,
“But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other as well, and from the person who takes away your coat, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks you, and do not ask for your possessions back from the person who takes them away. Treat others in the same way that you would want them to treat you. “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to be repaid, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, so that they may be repaid in full. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to ungrateful and evil people. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” https://www.bible.com/107/luk.6.27-36.net
There's a lot of ways you can study the Bible. As an educator and lover of learning I'm all for an intense academic study. Maybe you are that way too or maybe that's not your thing.
Perhaps more important than the way we digest God's word is the way that it takes root in us. No matter your approach, God's word, through the work of the Holy Spirit, should leave its mark on how we live our day-to-day lives. And that mark should be one of love. Not just of those who love us. Not just those we like or admire or agree with. Even those unmarked by faith love those who love them. Instead, we are called to love our enemies, and do good to them. Because our Lord, our rabbi is kind to "ungrateful and evil people."
Church are we doing this well? We are pretty good at loving each other. I mean not 100 percent of the time, there's work to done there for sure, but within our local churches most at least get a passing grade. But are we loving our enemies at all? Do we pray for those on the opposite sides of issues? Are we a blessing? If we can't think of tangible ways we as the Big C Church are intentionally being kind and serving "ungrateful and evil people" I have to wonder are we really letting the Holy Spirit do it's work in us?
I'm not crystal clear what this looks like.
I do know it means we need to be kinder to those we disagree with, especially online. And that likely means we don't post every opinion we have.
I do know it means we are going to have to give to our enemies, to people who are actively fighting against us.
I do know it means that we’ll receive criticism from religious people for hanging out with the wrong kind of folks. But we are in good company because those are the same accusations hurled at Jesus.
For me, it means I'm praying for people on the road who lack basic driving skills instead of shouting about their incompetence from behind the safety of my windshield and rolled up windows.
None of that makes sense. God's kingdom is not a logical Kingdom. It's defiance of "love" that makes "reasonable" sense is it's calling card, it's trademark. This is the kind of love that reflects the love of our Savior, who gave it all to us, expecting nothing in return, because we have nothing to give. Church, let us live these words in new ways. Let's renew our commitment of bringing Jesus's upside-down kingdom to earth, just as it is in heaven. Let us walk in the ways of our rabbi and be doers of the Word, not just students of it. Let us renew our commitment to loving and praying for our enemies.
