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Children of the Most High

Luke 6:27-36

Key verse 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 children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.”

Introduction

Jesus chose his twelve disciples at the previous passage. Today’s passage shows Jesus’ high standard for his listeners. We are privileged to be called children of the Most High. May the Lord help each of us to live a life being consistent with what Jesus taught.

1. Read verses 27- 28. What does Jesus say to those who are listening? What do you think we can learn from Jesus? (27-28)

1.1 Read verses 27- 28.

27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

1.2 What does Jesus say to those who are listening?

“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

1.3 What do you think we can learn from Jesus? (27-28)

Here Jesus’ teaching is extraordinary. His teaching is against our human nature and beyond our capability.

It seems to be natural to hate our enemies.

“eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.” - Exodus 21:24-25

Jesus command us to love our enemies instead.

The love Jesus tells us to have for our enemies is not a feeling. If we wait for that, we will never love them.

To love our enemies is not easy. It is a great spiritual battle for we must first die to our sinful nature and we must clothed with Jesus who died for the sin of the world.

2. Read verses 29 - 31. What should someone do if someone slaps them on the cheek or takes their coat? What do you think Jesus means by this? (29) What should we do when people ask us for things? (30a) What should we do to others? (31) What does Jesus call us to be like here?

2.1 Read verses 29 - 31.

29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 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.

2.2 What should someone do if someone slaps them on the cheek or takes their coat?

“If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also.”
“If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.”

2.3 What do you think Jesus means by this? (29)

When Jesus speaks about turning the other cheek and giving a shirt, it means that we can put into practice from a real or small thing in terms of loving them.

It is easy to say, “I love my enemies.” But in dealing with them, we are often times limited.

But Jesus helps us to go extra miles so that they might see God’s unconditional love through us.

2.4 What should we do when people ask us for things? (30a)

“Give to everyone who asks you,”

2.5 What should we do to others? (31)

“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

2.6 What does Jesus call us to be like here?

Jesus teaches his disciples to grow in the character and attributes of God.

Jesus prayed for his enemies from the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Jesus wants us to practice this love of God in our daily lives. This is the essence of discipleship.

Jesus' people are not just talkers, but doers. We must treat others, even our enemies, with the same love and understanding we ourselves want.

3. Read verses 32 - 34. What does Jesus say about those who love people who love them and who are good to them? (32 - 33) What does Jesus say to those who only lend to whom they expect payment from? (34) How does Jesus say we can establish good credit with God?

3.1 Read verses 32 - 34.

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.

3.2 What does Jesus say about those who love people who love them and who are good to them? (32 - 33)

“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.”
Jesus explains that loving those who love us is nothing special. Gang members love their fellow gang members. But loving enemies is different. It reveals the character of God.
In this limited world, “give and take” is norm.
But in God’s eyes, there is the eternal promise of God that is sealed with the living words of God.
So we can love our enemies despite their endless demand.

3.3 What does Jesus say to those who only lend to whom they expect payment from? (34)

“if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you?”
Compared with the reward of God, our loss or concession is not that great.
Isaac conceded his wells constantly by trusting his God and His reward.
May the Lord help us to grow in our personal faith and trust in God always.

3.4 How does Jesus say we can establish good credit with God?

When we Christians give in and generously concede, then God recognizes us to be his children.

God’s children must be as generous as the heavenly Father.

Our standard in dealing with the people is God’s standard.

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. - 2 Peter 1:3-4

4. Read verses 35 - 36. How does Jesus say to treat our enemies? (35a) What will happen when people listen to what Jesus says? (35b) What example does God give when dealing with the ungrateful and the wicked? (35c) Why should we be merciful? (36) Can you think of a time when God has been merciful to you?

4.1 Read verses 35 - 36.

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 children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

4.2 How does Jesus say to treat our enemies? (35a)

“love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.”

4.3 What will happen when people listen to what Jesus says? (35b)

“your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.”
What a privileged and blessed title it is! “Children of the Most High”
Children of the Most High is our name tag no matter where we go.

4.4 What example does God give when dealing with the ungrateful and the wicked? (35c)

God could have destroyed the ungrateful and wicked. But he loved us first while we are still sinners.

God sent his one and only Son, Jesus Christ for our sins.

Jesus died on the cross and shed his blood for our sins as the Lamb of God.

By the immeasurable grace of Jesus, our sins are forgiven.

Now looking back on His love, we are compelled to love all kinds of sinners.

The love of God enabled us to love all people on earth.

4.5 Why should we be merciful? (36)

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
It is imperative for us to see others with God’s eyes.

4.6 Can you think of a time when God has been merciful to you?

In Conclusion,

Through this study we realize that Jesus calls his apostles to a high standard. It seems too high. We cannot live up to it naturally. However, let's accept Jesus' standard by faith and pray for his help. As he changed his apostles, he can change us. When we grow in God's character, North America will become a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.

One word: Children of the Most High