Murder, Hatred and Love

When Jesus gave His disciples a new commandment to love one another as He loved them, it would have been a mistake to love others on the condition of others being a fellow Jew or genuine Christian.  This is the sort of thing we tend to do as human beings, to use a verse that speaks of our obligation to love one another as justification not to do so--because they do not belong with us!  Jesus demonstrated His love for us while we were yet sinners and enemies of God by dying in our place, and it is His example we as His disciples are obligated to follow.

This morning I read a passage in Esther when Haman was glad at the thought of executing Mordecai for slighting him, and how Esau comforted himself with thoughts of killing his brother Jacob for stealing his blessing.  These wicked men harboured hatred in their hearts, and the Bible teaches murder is evidence of hatred.  1 John 3:15 puts it in strong terms:  "Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him."  Again, we shouldn't restrict those guilty of hatred and murder to those who nurse a grudge towards their brother.  To refuse to love your brother is to abide in death, and to claim we are not obligated to love them because they are not a "brother" is irrelevant given other commands of Christ and the counsel of God's word.

We should not limit the implications of hating (or loving less) whether it be a brother, neighbour or stranger.  Jesus taught our neighbour was not only the one who lived next door or known to us, for He spoke a parable concerning a Samaritan who lay by the roadside after being beaten by thieves and left for dead.  The Jews in Jesus' day had no dealings with Samaritans, and it would have been a shock to suggest to Jews they had any relationship with Samaritans that was remotely neighbourly.  When the man asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbour?" Jesus responded with a story that provided the example of what it was to be neighbourly, caring and loving towards all--even Samaritans.  Isn't that how Jesus treated those who hated Him?

Jesus taught His disciples in Matthew 5:43-47:  "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' ⁴⁴ 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, ⁴⁵ that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. ⁴⁶ For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷ And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?"  Since it is clear Jesus said Christians are to love their enemies, we plainly ought to love everyone--our brothers, acquaintances, neighbours, strangers, Samaritans and those who hate and persecute us.  We cannot muster up such love ourselves, but love is a fruit of the Spirit God's people can give freely and graciously as we have received it from Jesus.