For around a month, every evening, my son wanted to read the same Bible story: Jonah and the big fish. For a child, this is of course a fantastical story – a man swallowed by a huge fish, staying in its belly for three days, and then burped out onto a beach.
Children often focus on the wonder of the story. But as adults, we gradually discover the deeper struggle inside Jonah – a struggle many of us still deal with ourselves.
The story is really about the human heart. It confronts our reluctance to extend mercy to those we dislike or distrust, and it reminds us that God’s compassion is wider than our own.
Jonah resented the people of Nineveh. They were enemies of Israel. His struggle was never really about the journey – it was about the possibility that God might forgive them.
When Jonah finally went to Nineveh and did as God commanded, the people repented and God showed them mercy. But instead of rejoicing, Jonah became angry. He wanted justice for his enemies, while God showed compassion even to those who had done wrong. Jonah’s heart was too hardened to see that they too were God’s children.
Perhaps that is why pairing Jonah’s story with the teachings of Jesus is so powerful. Jonah reveals the human resistance to loving our enemies, while Jesus calls us to overcome it.
For believers throughout history, this has been one of the hardest commandments to live out. Loving our friends and family comes naturally. Loving our enemies does not. It requires something deeper – the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus’ teaching pushes his followers beyond cultural loyalties, beyond revenge, and beyond the instinct to divide the world into “us” and “them.” Instead, he calls us toward a deeper compassion – one that reflects the boundless mercy of God.
“But to you who are willing to listen, I say: love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.
If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back.
Do to others as you would like them to do to you.
If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return.
Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid.
Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for He is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.
You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.”
Luke 6:27-36 NLT
This passage from Luke 6:27–36 is one of the most radical teachings of Jesus Christ. It appears during what is often called the Sermon on the Plain, where Jesus explains how His followers should live differently from the world – to love, do good, bless, and pray for people who harm them. The command goes beyond normal human behavior. Most people love those who love them, but Jesus calls for love toward opponents and enemies. This kind of love reflects God’s character. “He is kind to the unthankful and wicked.”
As followers of God we are called to mirror His nature which is compassion, mercy, and generosity. It’s one of the clearest descriptions of the ethic of the Kingdom of God that Jesus preached.
Love your enemies even if they don’t love you because the rewards in heaven are great.
Elize About Faith 
Leave a comment