Won’t You Be My Neighbor - Collide

Won't You Be My Neighbor - Collide

A Radical Call to Love Our Enemies

In a compelling message delivered at Founded In Truth Fellowship, Matthew Vander Els delves into one of the most challenging yet transformative teachings of Jesus: the command to love our enemies. This teaching, found within the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapter 5, presents a radical departure from conventional wisdom and calls for a profound shift in how we interact with those who oppose or persecute us.

The sermon begins by setting the stage with a reference to the societal impact of Jesus' teachings, noting that their implementation has historically led to significant consequences for those who dared to live by them. To illustrate the power of confronting societal norms with love and compassion, the speaker draws a parallel with the seemingly gentle yet profoundly impactful work of Fred Rogers, known for his children's program "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood." In a time of deep racial tension following the Civil Rights Act and the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., Rogers courageously addressed difficult topics with children and intentionally portrayed a black man, Officer Clemens, as a friendly and helpful police officer. A particularly significant moment highlighted is when Mr. Rogers invited Officer Clemens to cool their feet together in a pool, a simple act that directly challenged the prevailing segregationist attitudes and sparked controversy across communities. This act of radical inclusion mirrored the revolutionary nature of Jesus' teachings.

The core of the teaching then shifts to an examination of Jesus' words in Matthew 5:43: "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." The speaker points out that while the first part of this statement, "love your neighbor," is a direct quote from Leviticus 19:18, the second part, "hate your enemy," is not explicitly commanded in the Torah. Instead, Jesus is addressing the common interpretation and application of the "love your neighbor" commandment within the first-century Jewish community.

During that time, the concept of "neighbor" was often limited to fellow Israelites, especially in the context of foreign Roman occupation. However, the speaker emphasizes that a broader reading of Leviticus 19, specifically verses 33-34, reveals a commandment to also love the foreigner living among them as themselves. Jesus' teaching goes even further, extending this love to those considered enemies, challenging the prevailing notion of who deserves our love and compassion.

To understand the basis for this radical command, the teaching explores Jesus' rationale in Matthew 5:45: "so that you may be sons of your Father who is 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." This verse highlights God's indiscriminate generosity and love towards all of humanity. Just as God's blessings of sunshine and rain are not limited to the righteous, our love should also extend beyond those we deem worthy.

The speaker underscores that this love is not merely a feeling but a conscious choice and an action, often beginning with prayer for those who persecute us. This active love challenges the natural human tendency to reciprocate hatred and seek revenge. Instead, followers of Jesus are called to respond to their offenders with compassion, service, and a desire to expose them to God's love and power.

Examples are given of how this might look in everyday life, such as a Roman soldier demanding a civilian carry his pack or a tax collector acting unjustly. The suggested response is not passive acceptance but rather an engagement rooted in compassion and a willingness to serve, potentially disarming the offender and revealing a different way of relating. This approach is portrayed as a source of strength, contrasting with the weakness of running away or succumbing to anger.

The teaching also addresses the common human tendency to show kindness to those we like or from whom we might benefit, pointing out that even "tax collectors" and "Gentiles" (those outside the Jewish faith) engage in such selective kindness. Jesus calls his followers to a higher standard, one that reflects the perfect (or complete and fully mature) nature of God. This perfection is not about sinless perfection but about embodying the fullness of God's generous and indiscriminate love.

The speaker concludes by emphasizing that our neighbor is everyone who receives God's blessings, regardless of their beliefs, background, or actions towards us. We are called to be vessels of God's kindness and love in a world often characterized by division and hatred, actively working to turn enemies into neighbors.

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Application for Everyday Life

• Pray for those who oppose or mistreat you. This shifts your perspective and opens the door for compassion.
• Seek to understand the perspective of your "enemies." Try to see the situation from their point of view, which can foster empathy.
• Respond to offense with kindness and service, rather than retaliation. This can disarm the offender and create an opportunity for a different interaction.
• Challenge your definition of "neighbor." Recognize that God's love extends to all, and your actions should reflect this inclusive love.
• Be generous with kindness and mercy, even towards those you dislike. Mirror God's indiscriminate generosity.
• Look for opportunities to show tangible love to those outside your usual circle. Extend your care beyond those who are like you or agree with you.
• Recognize that loving your enemies is an active choice, not just a feeling. It requires a commitment to respond in a way that reflects God's character.
• Be aware of your biases and prejudices that might limit who you consider your neighbor. Actively work to overcome these limitations.
• Remember the example of Jesus, who welcomed and ate with those considered outcasts and enemies of the religious establishment. Follow his example of radical inclusion.
• Strive to reflect God's perfection by embodying a love that is complete and extends to all, just as God's love does. Aim for a mature and inclusive love.

References

Bible Verses

• Matthew 5:43
• Matthew 5:45
• Matthew 5:48
• Luke 6:27
• Leviticus 19:18
• Leviticus 19:33
• Leviticus 19:34
• Psalm 145:8
• Psalm 145:9
• Psalm 145:15
• Psalm 145:16

Books and Resources Mentioned

• The Bible

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