Devotional: Equal Treatment Matthew 5:43-48

As I watch the news each day I notice that politics does not seek equal treatment for all people. Although politicians claim that they are looking out for the good of all the people this claim is far from the truth. Politicians say the things that they think needs to be said in order to get elected. In fact, to a certain degree all of us talk like politicians. Why do I say this?

We take the position that what is good for me is good for all people. We talk ourselves into believing that our ways are ethical and moral. What I believe to be true is the truth that we all should live by. Those that oppose me and my views are evil enemies. I am under no obligation to look out for the welfare of my opponents. However, Jesus teaches us a different ethic. His moral standards are higher than our own.

Matthew 5-7 is known as the Sermon on the Mountain. Jesus teaches that the standards for the kingdom of heaven are not based on what society says that we should do. “For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” Matt. 5:20, NASB). Jesus gives several examples of how the world falls short of the righteousness of God. Our text is one example.

Jesus teaches that our love is not to be limited to our family and friends. Our love must extend to our enemies. God makes no distinction between the just and the unjust. He sends rain upon all people equally. When we extend our love to all people, both friend and foe we are being like God. All people sin. All people need God’s love, grace, and mercy. When we think about it you and I are not different from our enemies in the eyes of God. Let us live by the ethic of love for all people. It is the moral thing to do. This means that we pray for the good of our enemies. We desire equal treatment for all people.

Prayer: God in heaven, we thank you for loving us when we were Your enemy lost in sin. We desire to love others as You love us. Amen.