27 “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 28-29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30-31 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

32-34 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:27-36 English Standard Version (New Living Translation link)

I hope that everyone who uses these notes reads the whole Bible section first because God's word is itself far more important than my thoughts about them. So did you read today's section? Let's be honest, Jesus' words there are mind blowing! Can anyone really live – and love – as Jesus taught his disciples that day? It's totally the opposite of our natural reaction and responses to when people want to harm or exploit us. Why do you think Jesus set such a high standard for those who become his followers?

I would suggest at least three reasons. Firstly, as vs 32-34 show, doing what Jesus calls us to do will show the vast difference between his kind of love and the world's. The world's standard is I'll only help you if there's something in it for me. But that is self love. Secondly, because there is a far greater reward in loving people as Jesus calls us to do than any rewards we may get from people for favours we show them. (vs 35) Thirdly, because the love Jesus calls us to practise reflects God's character, and imitates the love with which He has loved us. (last part of vs 35 and vs 36)

In other words, Jesus calls his followers to love people in the way God has shown His love to the world. He makes the sun shine and the rain fall on the lands of those who say thank-you as well as on those who just take all His blessings for granted. And He shows mercy to those who sin against Him, even to those who crucified His beloved Son. He doesn’t strike them down, but is willing to forgive them when they repent.

So, do you think we are meant to take the words of vs 27-29 literally?

My answer would be yes, of course we must take them literally, but also realistically. Firstly, because many of the things Jesus mentions are the sort of things people may do to us because we are His followers. When that happens we need to remember that Jesus warned that such things could happen. Secondly, because we want to follow Jesus in the way he calls us to, and not just choose the things that suit us.

But why I said 'realistically' is because Jesus sometimes used extreme examples to illustrate a general principle - such as a camel getting through the eye of a needle. The general principle here is in vs 27. We are called to love in a way that is different from the world, a love that seeks to show kindness even to those who will accuse, misuse and abuse our kindness.

I don't think his words meant we shouldn't try and defend someone who was being attacked and whose life was in danger, or that we can't call the Police if burglars were breaking into our house, or the Church. Romans 13:4 say that God put rulers in place who “are His servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.”  But we are called to put Jesus' words into action as much as we possibly can in all our personal relationships and with all people we meet, the good and the bad. Even that can be a tough call! But Jesus will surely give us grace to do it if we call on him.