Some of Jesus’ simplest messages are the most radical and transformational.

“Love your enemies.” It is only three words, but it is world-changing; and it represents an enormous movement from typical human behavior.

Our human condition is dramatically depicted in the opening pages of the Bible in the story of Cain and Abel. Cain falls into envy and hatred, ignores God’s counsel, and murders his brother; and when he is confronted by God, he says, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Throughout the ages, humanity has continually fallen into this same pattern of envy, hatred, and callousness, ignoring God and engaging in violence against one another.

What a difference in Jesus! We see in Jesus the complete opposite of the behavior depicted in the story of Cain and Abel, as Jesus leads us not only to love our brother and our neighbor, but to love even our enemies.

Jesus leads us not only to love our brother and our neighbor, but to love even our enemies. Click To Tweet

How can people make the movement from the attitude of Cain to the lifestyle of Jesus? It can happen only through God’s grace.

Grace – the unmerited blessing of God – is at work already at the end of the story of Cain, as God gives Cain protection and care, even though Cain deserves nothing. Grace comes to its ultimate expression in Jesus – as God gives to all of us sinners the gift of mercy and life, even though we are undeserving.

It is when we receive God’s grace – opening ourselves to the working of God’s forgiveness and compassion within us – that we can begin to live in a whole new way. We can begin to show the same kind of grace toward others, and express the love of God to all.

It is difficult to love the unlovely. But this is what God does in Jesus! And it is precisely such love that changes the world.

Please note: My next blog post will be on March 29, and will conclude the Ten Truths that Change Life series. Have a blessed Easter!

Sunday Scripture Readings:
Genesis 4:1–15
Matthew 5:43–47

A photo posted by UMC of Kent, Ohio (@kentmethodist) on Mar 3, 2016 at 11:53am PST

About the Author

Dr. David A. Palmer has been the senior pastor at the United Methodist Church of Kent since 1995. He has a B.A. from Wittenberg University, a Master of Divinity from Duke University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary. A native of Wooster, Ohio, he has served three other churches in east Ohio before coming to Kent. He and his wife, Mavis, have three children.