Wednesday, April 23 – Matthew 5, Luke 6

1. How can you demonstrate the love of Christ to someone who has hurt you or whom you find difficult to love?

2. How does your life reflect God’s unconditional love in moments of conflict or tension?

3. What steps can you take today to live out Jesus’ call to love your enemies and pray for those who wronged you?

Iryna is a Ukrainian woman who, instead of responding with resentment toward the Russians who emigrated to the United States due to the war, chose to welcome them with Christian love. Every day, she wore a Ukrainian shirt and, with hugs, food, music, and a smile, she served them with love. She often said, “If Jesus loves them, who am I not to love them?” Her heart reflected God’s mercy despite the war, demonstrating that Christian love transcends borders and enmities.
Her dedication and service have inspired many in the church and the community to do the same. I often accompanied her, and it is incredible how love can change lives and draw others to desire to know Jesus.
People need hope, especially in their lowest moments, like immigrants far from home. The church is called to impart that hope and encouragement to those in need through acts of love without borders, just as Christ taught us. We are God’s hands for those who cannot see Him and who, in adversity, need a little faith. Few messages resonate more deeply in people’s hearts than the message of love amid hatred and division in this world.

In Matthew 5:43-48, Jesus says: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” (vv. 43-44)

This command is a revolution of love. In that cultural context, people were expected to love their friends and hate their enemies, but Jesus shattered this norm. His call is to a love that is not based on reciprocity but rooted in the very nature of God. God does not discriminate in His love: “For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (v. 45)

Like Iryna, who found her purpose by serving her “enemies” with all the tools and blessings God had given her, we are called to love without expecting anything in return.

Luke 6:27-36 reinforces this teaching, showing that genuine love expects nothing in return:

“But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.” (v. 32)

Loving in this way reflects the mercy of the Father, who is “kind to the unthankful and evil.” (v. 35) The gospel is reflected in this selfless love that gives, a love without borders.

To love like the Father means to act with grace, offer forgiveness, and seek the good of all, regardless of their actions toward us. This type of love is so radical that it can make us uncomfortable because it does not seem fair. Yet, God calls us to love those who do not deserve it. This is the essence of grace, receiving what we do not deserve.

The Sermon on the Mount teaches us to love Jesus and serve others. This love challenges us to let go of the desire for revenge and trust that God is the just judge. The radical love Jesus proposes is the very mark of perfection, transcending the letter of the law and reaching the heart.

Loving as Jesus commands is not possible in our own strength. We need the help of the Holy Spirit to live out this love. Philippians 2:13 reminds us: “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” When we seek God in prayer and meditate on His Word, we receive the ability to love as He loves.

Jesus Himself gave the greatest example by praying for His executioners on the cross:

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
This is the love to which we are called, a love that reflects the redeeming grace of Christ.

The love Jesus teaches in Matthew 5 and Luke 6 challenges our natural tendencies and calls us to reflect the image of God in the world. This love is not weak or passive, it is bold, determined, and full of grace. It does not depend on circumstances or feelings but on the decision to live according to God’s heart.

To be perfect means to show mercy and love without limits. The perfection God seeks is not a destination but a path where we demonstrate how much the gospel has transformed us.

The testimony of Iryna reminds us that the love of Christ in action can transform lives. When we love as Jesus commands, we become true children of the heavenly Father, bringing light to a world darkened by hate and division.

May the Holy Spirit empower us to live out this love in every area of our lives, reflecting the radical love of God’s Kingdom.