Imitating Jesus

I am teaching a class in our school of ministry on the life of Jesus in the gospels. We have been investigating the sermon on the mount (matt.5-7) and the significance of this message. It starts with the beatitudes (blessed are the's) and then moves to Jesus contrasting the O.T. letter of the law, and His earthly arrival to fulfill the law. He does this by stating things like.......you have heard it said that, but I tell you... and Jesus would try to teach them that the real issues in life are not resolved by following christian rules, but thru a "heart" change---see ezekiel 36:26-27 and Jeremiah 31:31-3.

The one that struck me the hardest and seems the most radical is in matt. 5:43 where Jesus tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. When we choose to befriend only those who are friendly or love only those who love us, we fail to separate ourselves from those who do not know Jesus.

I have to admit there are times where I feel willing to ignore my enemies, tolerate my enemies, and even forgive them, but I find it very hard to pray that God would bless them!!

Ask yourself what that looks like in your life. Who is God dealing with you about praying for even though you've been seriously wronged or hurt? Why is it so hard to let go? Maybe you need to forgive yourself.

I try to wrap my head around circumstances like this,
---the terrorist on 9-11 that stole your spouse or child
---the parent or relative you trusted that abused you
---books like the "shack" where innocent lives are brutally cut short

Thank God most of us don't have to deal with that level of forgiveness, but what about the annoying person at work, or the guy who cut you off on the way to work? What about arguments with you spouse, do they ALWAYS have to apologize first?

While living out a verse like this is hard, remember the words of our saviour who prayed for His tormentors as they nailed the spikes into His hands and feet. "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do". If the cruel torture of crucifixion could not silence our Lord's prayer for His enemies, what pain or pride could justify the silencing of ours?

ephesians 4:26--be angry, and do not sin. Don't let the sun go down on your wrath" We cannot afford to not forgive.