WHY WE CAN LOVE OUR ENEMIES

Luke 6:27-31

Luk 6:27 “But I am telling you who are listening: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
Luk 6:28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Luk 6:29 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 hold back your tunic either.
Luk 6:30 Give to everyone who asks you, and do not ask for your possessions back from the person who takes them away.
Luk 6:31 Treat others in the same way that you would want them to treat you.

reverse Robin Hoods

Jesus had just drawn a stark picture of the world: the haves and the have‑nots, the comfortable and the desperate, the satisfied and the hungry. And He had placed His disciples squarely among the have‑nots—not to shame them, but to assure them that their present lack was not the final chapter. Their future in God’s kingdom would overturn every earthly disadvantage. They were to rejoice, not because poverty is pleasant, but because the kingdom would reverse their fortunes forever.

But then comes the surprising turn. Instead of urging these faithful poor to rise up against their oppressors, to demand justice, or to reclaim what had been taken from them, Jesus tells them to do the opposite. Love your enemies. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you. Give to those who take from you. In other words, be a reverse Robin Hood—give to the very people who have taken from you.

Why would anyone live like that? Why would the oppressed bless their oppressors? Why would the poor give to the rich? Why would the wounded pray for the ones who caused the wounds?

Because Jesus’ followers believe His promise. They believe that the kingdom is coming. They believe that the have‑nots will one day become the haves, that the mourners will be comforted, that the hungry will be filled, that the overlooked will be honored. They believe that God Himself will set everything right. And when you trust that future, you are free in the present. You can afford to be generous. You can afford to bless. You can afford to give without fear of running out. You can afford to love even those who do not deserve it.

This is the context of the golden rule—not a vague moral ideal, but a kingdom ethic rooted in the certainty of God’s coming restoration. Treat others the way you wish to be treated in the kingdom that is on its way. Live now as someone who knows what is coming. Let future joy shape present generosity.

Only people who believe Jesus’ promises can live this way. Only people who trust the coming kingdom can bless those who harm them. Only people who know they will inherit everything can give anything away.

LORD, show us how to bless, pray, and give like those who will inherit Your kingdom.