Loving Like Jesus: Even your enemies

"Love Like Jesus: Loving Your Enemies & Praying for Persecutors"

Key Verse: “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” – Matthew 5:44 (ESV)

1. INTRODUCTION – LOVE THAT DEFIES LOGIC (1–2 minutes)

Let’s start with a question:

What kind of love prays for the person who just hurt you? What kind of love blesses the one who betrayed you?

This is not the world’s kind of love. The world teaches:

“Protect your peace.

“Cut toxic people out.”

“Don’t let anyone walk over you.”

But Jesus says something radically different:

“Love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you.”

This is the love that doesn’t come from feelings – it comes from faith. It doesn’t come from the flesh – it comes from the Spirit.

2. THE CONTEXT OF JESUS’ WORDS (2 minutes)

In Matthew 5, Jesus is preaching the Sermon on the Mount. He’s addressing a crowd made up of ordinary people—many of whom lived under Roman oppression, were poor, and were mistreated.

The religious leaders—Pharisees and scribes—had taught the people that it was enough to love your neighbour but hate your enemy. They twisted Leviticus 19:18, which says, “Love your neighbour as yourself,” to include only fellow Jews. They added their own interpretation: “Hate your enemy.”

But Jesus corrects this.

“You have heard it said… BUT I SAY TO YOU…” He’s redefining righteousness, showing that God’s heart is bigger than revenge.

3. WHAT DOES ‘LOVE YOUR ENEMIES’ REALLY MEAN? (3–4 minutes)

Jesus uses the word “agape” for love—not emotional or romantic love. Agape is a decision, not a reaction. It means:

Doing what is best for the other person,

Whether they deserve it or not.

Example: Jesus’ Own Life

When Jesus was betrayed by Judas, He called him “Friend.” When He was arrested, He healed the ear of the soldier who came to arrest Him. On the cross, He said: “Father, forgive them…”

This is not weakness—it’s spiritual strength. It takes more strength to pray for someone who wounded you than to post about them, fight them, or cut them off.

4. WHY WOULD JESUS ASK US TO DO THIS? (2 minutes)

Let’s be real—it sounds unreasonable. But let’s break it down.

1. Because God loves us this way

Romans 5:10 – “While we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son.” You and I were once enemies of God through sin—but He didn’t wait for us to say sorry. He loved us first.

2. Because love is a weapon of Heaven

Romans 12:20 – “If your enemy is hungry, feed him… in doing this, you heap burning coals on his head.” This is not revenge—it’s showing kindness that softens hearts.

3. Because love breaks the cycle

Hatred fuels more hatred. But love can interrupt the pattern.

Martin Luther King Jr. said:

“Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that.”

5. HOW DO WE LOVE ENEMIES PRACTICALLY? (2–3 minutes)

It starts by changing how we see people. Jesus looked past the behaviour and saw the brokenness beneath it.

1. Start with Prayer

Jesus says, “Pray for those who persecute you.” This is powerful because

It realigns our heart with God's heart.

It moves us from offence to intercession.

You begin to see their humanity, not just their actions.

2. Forgive, even if they don’t ask

Forgiveness is not saying what they did is okay. It’s saying, “I release them from being in charge of my peace.”

Forgiveness is not about them. It’s about you walking in freedom.

3. Bless them in action

Luke 6:27–28 – “Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you…” Ask yourself:

What can I say, do, or give that would reflect Jesus—even if it costs me?

6. THE REWARD OF LOVING THIS WAY (1–2 minutes)

Matthew 5:45 – “So that you may be children of your Father in heaven…” When you love your enemies, you look like your Father.

It’s evidence of spiritual maturity. Anyone can love those who love them. But when you love your enemy—you show that Jesus lives in you.

7. CLOSING – WHO IS GOD ASKING YOU TO LOVE? (1 minute)

Who comes to mind when I say “enemy”?

Who hurt you, rejected you, insulted you, or betrayed you?

Will you love like Jesus? Will you pray for them instead of posting about them? Will you forgive them instead of avoiding them?

You may not feel it—but when you obey, the Spirit empowers you. And when you love like Jesus, you live like Jesus.

PRAYER

“Father, this is hard. Our hearts don’t want to love those who’ve hurt us. But Jesus, You showed us another way. You loved us when we were unlovable. You forgave us when we were guilty. Teach us to walk in that same love. Help us pray, forgive, and bless—even when it’s difficult. Let the world see Your love through us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”