Love Your Enemies: The Most Radical Commandment Ever Given
Jesus’ teaching to love our enemies is one of the most counter-cultural commands in the Bible. This instruction literally flips thousands of years of human instinct on its head. Where every culture throughout history preached eye-for-an-eye justice, Jesus said something completely different. This is radical, not just in our time and in our culture, but at any time and in any culture.
Think about it – when someone hurts you, your natural response is to fight back or cut them off. But Jesus asks us to do the exact opposite. “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). This teaching shocked audiences two thousand years ago, and it still makes people uncomfortable today because it challenges our deepest survival instincts.
Turn the Other Cheek: Confronting Violence with Radical Non-Resistance
Jesus taught an ethic of forgiveness, as expressed in aphorisms such as “turn the other cheek” or “go the extra mile”. This wasn’t just about being nice – it was about completely revolutionizing how we respond to aggression. Instead of matching violence with violence, Jesus proposed something that seemed absolutely insane to his listeners.
Funk and Hoover note that typical of Jesus were paradoxical or surprising turns of phrase, such as advising one, when struck on the cheek, to offer the other cheek to be struck as well. This teaching directly challenged the honor-shame culture of ancient Palestine, where failing to defend yourself meant social death. Jesus was essentially asking people to sacrifice their reputation and social standing for a higher principle.
Abandoning Wealth and Status: The Upside-Down Kingdom
In October 2024, Pope Francis released an encyclical titled Dilexit Nos (“He Loved Us”), urging Catholics to prioritize spiritual devotion over material pursuits. In an increasingly consumer-driven world, the Pope reminded believers that material wealth is fleeting and cannot satisfy the soul. He emphasized that the love of Christ offers a path to freedom from the relentless pursuit of material success.
Jesus consistently taught that accumulating wealth and chasing status were barriers to spiritual growth. This teaching challenges modern society’s fundamental assumption that success equals happiness. The parable of the rich fool, who hoards wealth but dies before he can enjoy it, warns against the perils of greed. Jesus’ teachings encourage sharing with the less fortunate and investing in communal well-being. In our credit-card culture, this message feels almost impossible to follow.
Inclusion Over Exclusion: Breaking Down Social Barriers
One of Francis’ favorite themes was inclusion. He carried forward the teaching of the Second Vatican Council that the Holy Spirit – that is, the Spirit of God who inspired the prophets and is believed to be sent by Christ among Christians in a special way – is at work throughout the whole church; it includes not only the hierarchy but all of the church members. This belief constituted the core principle underlying synodality.
Jesus consistently reached out to society’s outcasts – tax collectors, prostitutes, lepers, foreigners. Just like us, the early Christian church faced significant challenges related to prejudice, particularly between Jewish and Gentile believers. The Apostle Paul addresses this issue in his letter to the Galatian church: “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). Paul’s message underscores the unity and equality of all believers, which transcends social or ethnic divisions. This radical inclusivity continues to inspire movements for social justice and equality today.
Transformative Forgiveness: The Power to Break Cycles
Jesus’ emphasis on renewal and transformation provides hope to those battling addictions. His teachings about new life can inspire individuals to seek help and recovery, emphasizing spiritual support and community assistance. Following his path can lead to liberation from the chains of addiction. This teaching offers practical hope for people trapped in destructive patterns.
Every Sunday was resurrection Sunday.” Flowing out from this, he notes “Jesus’ resurrection is a central focus of our New Testament Scripture with over 300 verses referencing this truth. When we study what the Bible teaches about the resurrection of Jesus, we are struck by the power this singular historical event had on the early followers of Jesus.” The promise of complete transformation – not just improvement, but fundamental change – continues to inspire millions who feel stuck in impossible situations. According to Lifeway Research’s 2022 State of the Theology study, around 1 in 3 Americans doubt the biblical accounts of Jesus’ physical resurrection, including 23% who say they are false. Yet even skeptics find hope in Jesus’ message of second chances.
These teachings haven’t lost their edge after two millennia. They still challenge our assumptions about power, success, and human relationships in ways that make us squirm. But maybe that’s exactly why they continue to change lives – because they offer something completely different from the world’s playbook. What strikes you most about how radical these ideas really are?