Think about the classic or traditional "Christmas" movies or programs on TV. Typically speaking, what is the "meaning of" or "spirit of" Christmas according to most Christmas programming? Usually it will be something along the lines of love, joy, peace, good will, blessing, charity, etc., right?
Why is that? Have you ever stopped to think about it? Why is it that this time of year, this "season", is a special time for caring and selflessness? ... well, let's take a look.
However, before we dig in to scripture, let's take a look at a case of selfless giving:
In a college softball game, between Western Oregon and Central Oregon, a senior named Sara from Western hit her very first career homerun. Fortunately for her team, she had two runners on base. But as she was running the bases, she twisted her leg and broke it. Sara was unable to complete her run, thus, her homerun was not going to count. Enter two girls playing for Central, the opposing team. They literally picked Sara up, and gently carried her to every base so she could touch it. At home plate, she earned her run. Because they were willing to help an opponent, she was able to make her homerun count. By the way, Western went on to win the game…all because of the sacrificial help from two girls playing for Central.
OK, not a "Christmas" story really, but you get the idea. This is an amazing true story of selflessness. And this act brings to mind some questions:
Why do you think the girls from Central did it? What motivated them? Why do people do nice things for others? What motivates YOU to do kind things? What makes this time of year so special that charity and giving increases?
What do you think the crowd remembered most about that game: the winner and loser, or this act of radical kindness? Why do you think these kinds of sacrificial acts stand out so much? Perhaps because we see them so seldom?
What do you think God thought of all this?
Read the following passage:
Luke 6:27-36 (NIV) "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32 "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, becausehe is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
SAY WHAT?! Love our enemies? If this were just some preacher or teacher saying this, we would chalk it up to good intentions (and a little crazy) and dismiss it. But this is JESUS talking!
What are some of the things Jesus tells us to do for our enemies...AKA, our opponents? (Remember the girls from the OPPOSING team helped their OPPONENT .. and lost)
Jesus says we are to love them, to do good to them, pray for them, bless them, give to them and lend to them.
On a scale of 1 (no problem) to 10 (no way), how difficult would these actions be for you to do? What’s in it for us? I mean, is there any benefit for us in showing kindness to our enemies? According to verse 35, yes there is: "Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High" Do you think that verse 35 means everything will always go our way if we show kindness to our enemies? Of course not, remember again, the 2 girls who helped Sara, their opponent, ended up losing the game. No, our reward deeper and more lasting. We may not even get it this side of heaven, but it's there.
Why do you think Verse 36 makes it sound as though God has done this?
BECAUSE HE HAS!!
This is the very thing that CHRISTMAS is ALL ABOUT!! We started out talking about Christmas, remember? Why is "the meaning" of Christmas usually expressed as a selflessness or sacrificial kindness? because that sacrificial kindness is exactly what God gave to us.
The King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Ruler of Heaven, Creator of the Universe stepped down and came in to this messed up world.
2 Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
John 1:1-4
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
WHILE SINNERS!
Being a "sinner" is rebellion against God. We were His enemies. In the passage above, Jesus is not asking us to do anything that he has not already done. He showed us how!
Think about about a particular enemy of yours and what they might need from you. What will it cost you to help those enemies?
Some of us have the type “enemies” who didn’t share the really cool fire truck in the first grade. But some of us have enemies who spread gossip about us, bully us, or maybe even physically hurt us. That calls out some deep emotions, as well. But for every range of enemy on the spectrum, Jesus has a command: LOVE THEM. Show them kindness. Help them in ways that they need it most. I know it sounds a little ridiculous, but that’s what the Son of God said.
It’s also what He did. Jesus gave His life on a cross for the Billy Grahams and Mother Teresas of the world, but also for the bin Ladans and Hitlers. He even begged God to forgive those who actually drove the nails through His hands!
I want you to imagine for a moment what it would be like for you to do all the things Jesus asks us to do in this passage. What would your enemy think of you? How would their life change? What would it cost you?
But I also want you to think about what it will cost you to keep on hating and despising them. Holding on to anger, hatred and grudges does more damage to you than it ever will to those who mistreat you. Forgiveness benefits you as much or more than it ever will them.
Let it go.
See them as God does: Remember that Genesis tells us that we are ALL created in God's image, His likeness. We are all His beloved creation... even those who mistreat you. Jesus Christ loved your enemies enough to die on the cross that THEY could be saved.
2,000 years ago at the first Christmas Jesus loved you by coming to earth and dying for your sins and the sins of your enemies. Will you love your enemies this Christmas?
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