You’re reading JESUS: LESSONS IN LOVE, by Eric Elder, featuring thirty inspiring devotionals based on the greatest “lover” of all time, Jesus Christ. Also available in paperback and eBook formats in our bookstore for a donation of any size!

Scripture Reading: Matthew 5

I tried pole vaulting back when I was in Junior High.  The goal was to take a long pole in your hands, then run with all your might and plant the end of the pole in a box just in front of a bar raised high on two other bars in front of you.  All I remember was that when I tried it, I felt an incredible jolt when I planted the pole in the box.  Not only did I not make it over the bar, I didn’t even make it off the ground!

I’ve since learned that part of the trick is getting the pole to bend properly.  As the pole bends, it transfers all of the energy of the runner into the pole, which then helps to propel the runner up and over the bar at the top.

I bring this up because I sometimes feel the same kind of jolt when I read Jesus’ words in Matthew chapter 5 about how to love others.  I want to love others, and I think I’m a loving person much of the time, but as I read what true love really involves, not only do I not think I’m making it over the bar, I’m not even sure I’m making it off the ground.

The reason I feel this way is because Jesus gets to the heart of love in this passage.  Rather than lowering the bar for all of us, Jesus raises it…or more accurately, He shows us what’s really involved in loving others.

He gives several examples:

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’  But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment” (Matthew 5:21-22). 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’  But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28). 

“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.’  But I tell you, Do not swear at all…Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one” (Matthew 5:33-34, 37). 

Then He concludes with these astounding words:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.  He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?  Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:43-48). 

Talk about raising the bar!  It’s hard enough to be consistent in loving my wife, my family, and my friends.  But to love my enemies, too?  That’s impossible!  Or at least it would be without Christ.

When we let the love of Christ flow through us to others, all things are possible.  He’s able to transfer all of His energy and love into us, and then propel us over even the highest bar.  And you know what?  When we’re able to get our hearts right and let Christ work through us to love even our enemies, imagine what kind of love we could show to those who already love us!

Rather than giving us an impossible task, Jesus shows us that true love comes from Him, then flows out to others.  Let His love flow through you today.

Prayer: Father, pour out Your love into my heart again today so that I can love others the way You want me to…even my enemies.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.