Today’s Podcast
Today’s Bible reading plan:
Read it in a year – Numbers 29-32
see the whole year’s plan [here](http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf)
Today’s Devotional
Luke 6:27-31
Jesus: If you’re listening, here’s My message: Keep loving your enemies no matter what they do. Keep doing good to those who hate you. Keep speaking blessings on those who curse you. Keep praying for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, offer the other cheek too. If someone steals your coat, offer him your shirt too. If someone begs from you, give to him. If someone robs you of your valuables, don’t demand them back. Think of the kindness you wish others would show you; do the same for them.
What do Jesus’ words mean for us today?
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. We learn that ‘golden rule’ as a kid, but do we really understand what Jesus meant by it? We like to send it out to others as they rail against us or sometimes when our anger starts to boil over and we’re about to levy some pretty harsh punishment against someone for the wrongs they committed against us. At times like those we stop and quote that verse to ease the pain of whatever punishment or action is about to happen.
That’s what most people think about when they read that isolated verse out of context. But that’s what I like about the translation I’ve been sharing with you the last few years. The Voice gets it right, even if you pull that verse out of the rest of the paragraph. Listen to it again.
“Think of the kindness you wish others would show you; do the same for them.”
Now lets go back and put the verse back into the context in which Jesus was talking to those who were listening to His sermon and see what He really means.
Remember the Jews lived in an occupied country. Israel had not enjoyed political self rule as a nation since the Babylonians laid final siege to the city and destroyed it in 587 BC. At this time, they lived under the rule of the Roman Empire. Soldiers walked the streets constantly. They had the authority to press individuals into service for them to carry their loads, give them food or shelter, take whatever implements or utensils they might need. The Roman soldiers had significant leeway from Rome to do as they pleased in the occupied nations.
Fortunately, most of the soldiers were relatively decent human beings and wanted to keep peace. The officers who led them knew that if they went too far, the entire populace might rise up against them and there were not enough soldiers in all of Israel to stop a massive uprising against the garrisons within the sound of their reach. Rome wielded great power against those she conquered, but Rome also knew her power was limited to the fear they could induce and that fear was based on the greatest number of people fearing death at the hands of her soldiers in battle.
Why the short history lesson? Because Jesus was talking to a crowd that understood their predicament with Rome. Most hated the soldiers who came into their homes at their pleasure or ordered them to carry their baggage from town to town or took the food from their tables when food was sometimes scarce. The Jews hated the Romans for what they did and who they were as an occupying force.
Now put that verse back into context. Jesus was talking about doing all these good things for your enemies. Do all these good things for those who hate you as much as you might hate them. Walk the extra mile, turn the other check, give up your coat and cloak to your enemy. Then He adds that haunting verse at the very end of that paragraph.
“Think of the kindness you wish others would show you; do the same for them.”
What would you like someone to do for you today? Would you like someone to take you to lunch? Then find that person who is your enemy and take them to lunch. That’s what Jesus is telling this crowd and us to do.
Would you like someone to get you a new shirt or blouse? Pick out one that you really like, wrap it up and give it to that co-worker that really gets on your nerves every day. That’s what Jesus is telling this crowd and us to do.
Would you like someone to listen to your complaints without interruption? Go to the person who drives you crazy with all their complaints and just listen to them. Don’t interrupt, take notes, let them know you really care about their issues. See where you might help ease their burden because of your past experiences. That’s what Jesus is telling this crowd and us to do.
Is this an easy task? By no means. It takes Jesus living in us to accomplish what He tells us to do here. But what a difference it will make in your piece of the world when you start operating with His rules instead of the world’s. Everyone around you will think you’re crazy. But they thought He was too. Even His brothers and sisters came to get Him because they thought He lost His mind.
So what will you today for someone? Think of the kindness you wish others would show you; then find one of those folks that border on the hate list and do it for them. That’s the kingdom way.
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved. In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.