What is the meaning of Luke 6:28? Context Luke 6 records Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain, a call to live out the kingdom ethic in daily relationships. Just before verse 28 He commands, “Love your enemies” (Luke 6:27). Verse 28 explains how that love looks in practice. Bless those who curse you “Bless those who curse you” (Luke 6:28a). • To bless is to speak well of, to wish God’s favor upon someone—even when that person unleashes verbal hostility. • Scripture presents blessing as an active choice of the will, not a reaction to merit. Romans 12:14 says, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” Peter echoes it: “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because … you were called to inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9). • Jesus modeled this at the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). • Practical steps: – Respond to an insult with calm, gracious words (Proverbs 15:1). – Speak a sincere good word about the offender when others criticize him. – Refuse to share or post negative commentary, choosing instead to affirm God’s desire for that person’s salvation (1 Timothy 2:4). Pray for those who mistreat you “…pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:28b). • Prayer moves the struggle from the horizontal plane to the throne of God. Job’s turnaround began “after he had prayed for his friends” (Job 42:10). • Jesus instructs, “Pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44), tying prayer directly to enemy-love. • What to pray: – That God would open their eyes to truth and repentance (Acts 26:18). – That you would “not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). – That God would work even the wrong against you for ultimate good (Genesis 50:20). • Prayer softens our own hearts, ensuring bitterness finds no foothold (Ephesians 4:31-32). A lifestyle of supernatural response • Jesus’ twin commands require the indwelling Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). • They set believers apart as “children of the Most High” who “He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked” (Luke 6:35). • Obedience here becomes a gospel witness: others see the difference and glorify God (Matthew 5:16). summary Luke 6:28 calls believers to meet hostility with heavenly kindness: speak blessing over the lips that curse you and carry persecutors to God in prayer. Rooted in Christ’s own example and powered by the Spirit, such responses display the upside-down kingdom and invite transformation for both offender and offended. |
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