Bible Text

Luke 6:27-36 (ESV)

²⁷ “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. ²⁹ To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. ³⁰ Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. ³¹ And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

³² “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. ³³ And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. ³⁴ And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount.     ³⁵ But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. ³⁶ Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. 

Reflection Questions

Luke 6:27-36

• How did Jesus himself live out these teachings?  
• What can I do to practice these verses in my life?   

Luke 6:34-35

Consider how God treated us even though we were enemies against him (cf. Col. 1:21).

• According this passage, how should we, as Jesus’ followers, treat our “enemies”?  
• How can the gospel message of reconciliation be communicated through my interaction with those who mistreat me?  

Luke 6:36   

• How has God been personally merciful to me?  
• What sins or shortcomings in others do I find particularly difficult to be merciful toward? 
• How can I become a person of greater mercy?