Matthew 5:38-48

Summary: One of the most widely known and admired facts about Jesus is that he was an advocate of love. And yet, when we read the astonishing depth to which he calls us to love, it isn’t all that appealing. We all would prefer to love only those whom it’s convenient and enjoyable to love. Jesus here defines love in a way that’s downright painful. Love demands a laying down of all rights to retaliation and revenge no matter how we’ve been wronged. Love demands seeking and praying for the good of those who’ve shown us nothing but cruelty. Only that kind of love begins to model for the world the true depth of God’s love for us in Jesus Christ.