Verse 27-31 Here’s the difference between followers of Jesus and those who have no relationship with Him. Jesus’ followers have different values and stand out from the rest of the world. They love their enemies, do good to those who hate them, and pray for those who hurt them. Followers of Jesus are intercessors with God (step in and take the place of someone else to plead with God) for their enemies.

Verse 32 When we love people because they love us, this is following our feelings, our flesh. There is nothing self-denying in that. That is simply doing what’s comfortable.

Verse 35-36 Followers of Jesus are kind to others, even when there is no advantage to do so. What is lost in this world will be made up in heaven with rewards. So we should resemble God in His goodness. He is kind to those who are unthankful, to those who are evil. God still gives gifts to the worst of sinners (the breath in their lungs is a gift, their home, food, etc.), even though every day these sinners provoke him, rebel, and use those gifts to dishonor Him. These kinds of sinners may be us. And yet, He is so merciful to us.

Verse 37 In case the hold up to loving our enemies was the magnitude of their sin, Jesus stops our thoughts from going any further with this parable about not judging others. Who are we to say their sin is worse than the things we’ve committed. After all, how much better are we when we know Jesus and still keep on sinning? Perhaps our enemies have not even met Jesus to know what true kindness or forgiveness is, and thus, they behave by only what they’ve been taught.

Whatever standard we use to judge people will be the standard God uses to judge and condemn us.

Verse 38 We are called to give our time, our resources – money/finances and serving – give in prayers. And when we give, we will see that we are filled back up from heaven. The source of what we give does not come from what is on this earth. God is endlessly supplying all that we give so that we can bless others. And He will reward our sacrificial fixing with overflowing spiritual and physical blessings.

One of the most amazing blessings is to give to others the very thing you are in need of. Whatever you are asking God for, give it to others and watch God return your giving back on you by using others to bless you!

Verse 39-40 What is true in the physical world is true in the spiritual. A disciple follows his/her teacher in all their actions and attitudes. Your character and conduct reflect your teacher.

Verse 41-42 This is about hypocrisy. Everything in our actions and words reflects what is in our hearts and mind. So if we say we follow Jesus but then act like we follow the world, this is hypocrisy. We might also be a hypocrite if we point out the minor sins in someone else’s life while there are glaring and grieving sins in our own. Jesus says to first address your own sin so you can see clearly and help remove the sin in another person’s life. It takes a good eye, and a good hand, to take out a tiny speck in someone’s eye/life.

Verse 43-44 You can identify people who follow God by what they say or do. Just like you can identify a fruit tree by what fruit it produces. The tree is an image of our heart. The fruit is our words and actions.

Verse 45 There can be bad trees that produce bad fruit. This last part of this verse I highlighted and underlined. It’s commonly quoted. “…for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (ESV) The NLT version says it a little differently. “What you say flows from what is in your heart.” We cannot say we are filled with God and have filth coming out of our mouths. We speak and act according to what’s in our hearts. So when we say or do something we know is not of God, this is a good reality check for us that our hearts are still dwelling with the world. We should experience some conviction that our actions or words are not found in Jesus’ teaching. This is a time to acknowledge our sin and confess to the Lord that it’s not the way we should or want to act.

Verse 46 The Bible was meant to be believed and obeyed. When the storms of life come, it’s what you do with what you have heard that determines how much of Jesus you will experience. The foundation of God’s Word working in your life will determine the stability of your future, especially when serious trials come your way. James 1:22 says “Be doers of the Word, not hearers only.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your mercy that covers my life, my sin, my unthankful heart, and my rebellion. Thank you for rescuing me, for chasing me down with wide-open arms and clothing me in Your kindness, Jesus. Help me love those who hurt me, help me pray for their lives to be blessed, for their needs to be met, their hearts to be filled with You. We choose a life of sin and rebellion when we haven’t tasted of Your goodness, Your love, Your forgiveness. And so I pray for a deep spiritual work in my enemies (call them out by name). I pray they taste Your love, Your kindness, Your goodness, Your forgiveness and turn from their ways. Help me to give freely to those who take and take and take, to bless them and be generous; I can never run out when I have You, Jehovah Jireh, my Provider. Let my mind stay fixed on You and not keep score, retaliate, or demand a return on my giving, Lord. I trust You. Holy Spirit, help me love those who hate me, who curse me, keeping my mind fixed on Your mercy for me. Help me be kind to those who are ungrateful and extend forgiveness and mercy to the evil they’ve done to me. I can only do this by Your strength, Jesus. Help me, Holy Spirit, to really believe Jesus’ words and obey them. I need a foundation of Your Word, God, in my life.  Forgive me, for my attitudes and actions that don’t reflect You. Forgive me for judging others by their sins while not addressing my own. There are so many sins I am guilty of, Jesus. I need your unending love and mercy, Jesus. May my character, words, and actions mirror yours, Jesus. Let you, Jesus, be where my trust is found. In Jesus’ name, Amen.