Matthew 5:43-48
The King calls His disciples to love enemies because they are children of the Father who shows mercy even to the wicked.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
44 But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,
45 that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.
46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?
47 If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?
48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
The King calls his disciples to love enemies because they are children of the Father who shows mercy even to the wicked.
Matthew records Jesus bringing the opening righteousness contrasts to their climax by commanding enemy love that reflects the Father's indiscriminate mercy.
The Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus teaches his disciples under the hearing of the crowds.
Kingdom Blessedness, Fulfilled Law, and Heart-Level Righteousness
Jesus reveals that kingdom citizens are blessed, visible, Scripture-governed, and called to a heart-level righteousness that reflects the character of their heavenly Father.