What did Jesus mean when He instructed us to love our enemies?

Answer

When Jesus stated that we are to love our enemies, He established a new standard for relationships. He informed the audience of His Sermon on the Mount that they already knew they were supposed to love their neighbor because loving our neighbor is a commandment of God «Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD. », (Leviticus 19:18). The idea that we should hate our enemies was a misinterpretation made by the Jews. Although there is no Bible verse explicitly stating “hate your enemy,” the Pharisees may have misunderstood some Old Testament passages regarding hatred towards God’s enemies (Psalm 139:19-22;140:9-11). Jesus, however, introduced a higher standard by saying, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:44-45). Jesus further explained that it is easy to love those who love us, something even unbelievers can do. He then instructed us to “be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:43-48).

Jesus clarified to His disciples that they should truly understand God’s law by loving not only their neighbors but also their enemies. Once, a Pharisee asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” «But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? », (Luke 10:29). Jesus then shared the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Through this parable, Jesus taught that His followers must show love to all kinds.Of people—no matter what faith, nationality, or personality—enemies included. If you love your enemies and “pray for those who persecute you,” you then truly reveal that Jesus is Lord of your life.

By using an illustration of the sun rising and the rain falling on both the good and the evil, Jesus shows God’s indiscriminate love to all people. His disciples must reflect His character and exhibit this same indiscriminate love for both friends and enemies. Jesus is teaching us that we must live by a higher standard than what the world expects—a standard that is impossible for us to attain by our efforts alone. It’s only through the power of God’s Spirit that His people can truly love and pray for those who intend to harm them (Romans 12:14-21).

Finally, after giving us the admonition to love our enemies, Jesus then gives us this command: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” «Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.», (Matthew 5:48). As sons of our Father «that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. », (Matthew 5:45), we are to be perfect, even as He is perfect. This is utterly impossible for sinful man to achieve. This unattainable standard is exactly what the Law itself demanded «For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. », (James 2:10). So how can Jesus demand the impossible? He later tells us, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” «But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men thi

“With man, this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26). What God requires, only He can achieve, even the requirement to love our enemies. What is unattainable for humans becomes achievable for those who surrender their lives to Jesus Christ empowered by the Holy Spirit residing in our hearts.