Greetings Family!
Quick question: When was the last time you allowed yourself to take a new perspective on something? You know…ordered something new from a restaurant you go to often? Switched up your commute to or from work? Loved your enemies? Blessed them when they don’t wish the best for you? I ask because our text for this week suggests that we should do just that. In our study on the Gospel of Luke, we currently find Jesus turning a lot of commonly-held beliefs and ideas on their heads. He doesn’t just offer new ways of seeing things, he completely redefines what his listeners think they already know. Pastors Jenn and Jad will be preaching this week in worship about how Jesus helps us to ReConnect with our core values of Discipleship and Service, specifically in Luke 6:27-35:
“But I say to you who are willing to hear: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on the cheek, offer the other one as well. If someone takes your coat, don’t withhold your shirt either. Give to everyone who asks and don’t demand your things back from those who take them. Treat people in the same way that you want them to treat you.
If you love those who love you, why should you be commended? Even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, why should you be commended? Even sinners do that. If you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, why should you be commended? Even sinners lend to sinners expecting to be paid back in full. Instead, love your enemies, do good, and lend expecting nothing in return. If you do, you will have a great reward. You will be acting the way children of the Most High act, for he is kind to ungrateful and wicked people."
They’ll be helping us take and in-depth look at the passage known in Luke as the Sermon on the Plain. I know what you’re probably thinking...
