By Douglas K. Wilson, Ph.D.
Dean of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
COMPASSIONATE
Luke 6:27–38
We interrupt our sequential study of Luke’s gospel account to emphasize Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. It was this week in 1973 that the U.S. Supreme Court determined that the choice to kill a living human being in utero was protected as a constitutional right to privacy (14th Amendment). In the intervening years, Southern Baptists have marked the anniversary of Roe v. Wade with a celebration of the dignity and sanctity of human life as God’s image-bearing special creation.
Our related Scripture passage comes from the “Sermon on the Plain,” often compared to and contrasted from Matthew 5–7 (the “Sermon on the Mount”). The focal verses record Jesus teaching His disciples to be compassionate and to extend mercy to others. We advocate for the dignity of all human life.
Love All (27–31)
“Love your enemies” (v. 27). That’s not in the Torah! Moses teaches me to love God with all my heart, my soul and my strength (Deut. 6:5). He teaches me to love my neighbor as myself (Lev. 19:18). In fact, Moses even teaches me to love strangers like I love myself (Lev. 19:33–34). But “love your enemies?” Yes, Jesus demonstrated how to love those who opposed Him.
Who are your enemies? An earlier part of this sermon provides the answer: “Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you, insult you and slander your name as evil because of the Son of Man” (v. 22). Jesus is not referring to enmity caused by our own careless words, misunderstood motives or sinful actions. Peter is careful to delineate suffering for Christ from suffering as a result of sin: “Let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer or a meddler” (1 Pet. 4:15).
Here and elsewhere, Jesus tells His followers to expect adversity: “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20). Peter writes: “If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ … let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator while doing what is good” (1 Pet. 4:14, 19). Regardless of our treatment, we must love our adversaries enough to share the gospel with them.
With a Pure Heart (32–36)
“Love your enemies” (v. 35). Jesus explains that the purpose for doing this is to reflect the Father’s grace and mercy. “You will be children of the Most High. For He is gracious to the ungrateful and evil” (vv. 35–36). Jesus calls us to extend mercy because the Father is merciful.
Saul of Tarsus sought the death and imprisonment of Christians. After meeting the risen Lord Jesus, he received God’s transforming, redeeming love: “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us … while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son” (Rom. 5:8, 10). When we love our enemies, we demonstrate that God’s love through Christ has captivated our attention and our affections.
And with Mercy (37–38)
The following verses reverberate with “echoes of mercy” and “whispers of love” (“Blessed Assurance”). Jesus instructs us to withhold judgment, for God is our judge. Condemnation is not ours to dispense, though we know unbelievers are already condemned (John 3:18). Generosity in giving and forgiving reflects the Father’s generous heart to all who receive His forgiveness by faith. These are the echoes of mercy.
To reflect the image of God, we must find creative ways to demonstrate love for neighbors, love for strangers, love for political rivals and love for our oppressors. Jesus foretells an accounting that nations will face regarding treatment of “the least of these” — the hungry, thirsty, naked, stranger, infirmed and imprisoned (Matt. 25:31–46). Ways we can love compassionately include: adoption advocacy, foster care, homeless ministry, prison ministry, health care, hospice and grief ministries.
Jesus calls us to show compassion for all humanity — from conception to the grave.
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