Nashville, Tennessee, United States - The Upper Room Daily Devotional "Do We Know What We Are Doing?" for Monday, 16 June 2014 - Read Luke 6:27-36

Nashville, Tennessee, United States - The Upper Room Daily Devotional "Do We Know What We Are Doing?" for Monday, 16 June 2014 - Read Luke 6:27 “But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you. 29 To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer also the other; and from him who takes away your cloak, don’t withhold your coat also. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and don’t ask him who takes away your goods to give them back again.
31 “As you would like people to do to you, do exactly so to them. 32 If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive back as much. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil.
36 “Therefore be merciful,
    even as your Father is also merciful.
Jesus said, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”(Luke 6:27-28 (NIV))
When I hear news of a crime, I immediately pray for the victims and their families. It is easy to pray for the victims of crime, but how can we even think about praying for the criminals? In Luke 6:27-28, Jesus is asking us to do something that is against our basic instincts. Our human nature too often insists that we seek revenge when someone does harm to an innocent person; we demand justice or punishment. What Jesus asks of us seems to be impossible. But God created and loves us all — even criminals. As Christians, we are instructed to love and pray for all God’s people, not just the ones whom we deem good and respectable. After all the torture and humiliation that Jesus endured during his crucifixion, he said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). As followers of Christ, we can embrace and follow Christ’s example, beginning with prayer.
The Author: Jerry J. Hurt (Ohio, USA)
Thought for the Day: God loves all people and commands us to do likewise.
Prayer: Dear God of grace, teach us to forgive others as you forgive us. Amen.

Prayer focus: Criminals
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