S3 Ep26: Love Your Haters

Discovering Jesus with FirstNaz Zephyrhills

In the final week of the series on basic Christianity, Pastor focuses on the teachings of Jesus as presented in Matthew 5:43-48, specifically during the sermon on the mount. Here, Jesus challenges the common understanding of loving one's neighbor while hating one's enemy by calling his followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them. Pastor emphasizes that living as part of God’s kingdom requires looking beyond worldly definitions of love and enmity, particularly in a society riddled with divisions and hatreds. He highlights that loving one’s enemies serves as a distinguishing mark of those who belong to God.Through vivid examples, Pastor explains the cultural context of Jesus’ time, where tax collectors were seen as traitorous collaborators with the Roman oppressors. He draws parallels between these biblical instances and present-day scenarios where individuals or groups can be perceived as adversaries. By urging his audience to engage with even those who oppose them, Pastor illustrates that this engagement, grounded in prayer and love, is crucial to embodying the identity of a follower of Christ. He concludes by encouraging listeners to strive for this kind of love, comparing it to aiming for perfection—not in flawless execution, but in the intention of living a life reflective of God’s grace and mercy.