Words from the Rock
If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.
In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.
Matthew 5:46–48 Message
Okay, this might sound like more of the “love your enemy” commandment, but it’s actually different. Jesus is reminding us to love the unlovely. But what does that really mean? Because now he’s not talking about the people we hate. He’s talking more about the people we are uncomfortable with—like people we can’t relate to, or shirk away from, or maybe just ignore.
Who is the unlovely person in your life? Perhaps there’s more than just one. For starters, that person is probably very different from you—or so you assume. Perhaps he is different ethnically, and you don’t understand why he talks or acts the way he does. Or maybe it’s a girl who dresses weird. Or a boy who farts in geometry. Or someone who’s mentally challenged. Or an elderly person who smells like sauerkraut. Or someone who’s unattractive or simply obnoxious. Take your pick.
But Jesus says to love them anyway. He doesn’t mince words either. Jesus tells us to “grow up.” He points out that it’s no big deal to be nice to people who are nice to us. Anyone can do that. But he reminds us once again that we show others that we belong to God when we imitate the way he loves everyone—regardless of how they look, act, talk, or smell!
My Prayer
Dear God,
I confess that I need to learn how to love the kind of people who make me uncomfortable. But I know that I need your help to do this. Please show me someone who I can be kind to today.
Amen.
Final Word
What if I could speak all languages of humans and of angels?
If I did not love others, I would be nothing more than a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
1 Corinthians 13:1 CEV
Stone for the Journey
I will keep my eyes and heart open for “unlovely” people, and then I will show them God’s love at work.