The Radical Message Of The Gospel
by Dan Jones, M.D.
Matthew 5:43-48
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Jesus changed everything. Of course, his death on the cross and his resurrection was the ultimate act that changed the course of the world. But prior to that, he changed how man would view God and his fellow man through his ministry – his words and his actions.
Matthew has compiled for us in Chapters 5-7 of his Gospel, the teachings of Jesus we refer to as “The Sermon on the Mount”. In these words, Jesus introduced radical new concepts to the world. I find the passage above to be the most radical of the many radical words in the Sermon.
Loving our enemy takes us to another level from loving our neighbor. Jesus introduces the new concept of loving those who do not love us. He introduces the concept of putting others first ahead of our own interests. His words were radical in that day and they are radical today.
As health professionals, we are often called on to deliver care to those who “are not our neighbors”. We are called on to provide care for those who look different from us, speak different languages, have different customs, and, sometimes, have different values.
For generations, tensions have been severe between the Korean and Japanese governments and between their people. During the Japanese colonial period before World War II, Koreans were mistreated in many ways by the Japanese. Today, lingering resentment is present in the hearts of many Koreans. During my days of working in a Korean hospital, I was often moved to see the compassion and care given a Japanese visiting patient by one of our Korean doctors – even some who I know had personally suffered at the hands of the Japanese invaders.
Lord, give me the kind of love that allows me to love my enemy.
Dan Jones, M.D., MACP, FAHA, a board-certified Internist, a former medical missionary to Korea, professor of medicine at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Dean of the School of Medicine, and Chancellor of the University of Mississippi until 2015. Dr. Dan Jones is a member of CMDA.
Dr. Jones welcomes any comments or questions about what he has written and can be reached at - djones@umc.edu
Rounds with the Master, Spiritual Pearls from the Great Physician Devotionals are released every Monday and Thursday.
Photo by Nathan Fertig on Unsplash
