More convenience. Less patience. Luke 6:27–36
Jesus has answers: Loving one another takes time and effort.
If you are like me you stand in front of the microwave saying “Hurry up”. We are a community that don’t like to wait. The more convenience we are given it seems only to feed our impatience rather than cure it. Most things that are worthwhile in life actually take time. I always think about this in relation to coffee. We can make instant coffee in no time but we often choose to wait for and buy good coffee because we like the outcome. We appreciate good coffee so we don’t mind waiting. Impatience works against some of the important areas of life. Things like relationships, character, parenting and caring for others all take time and all require patience.
There was one incidence in Jesus’ ministry where he made people, those he actually loved, to wait and it had seemingly disastrous results.
Jesus’ friend Lazarus was very ill, and his sisters Mary and Martha asked Jesus to come quickly as they believed he could help. Jesus actually lingered where he was and made them wait. The worst result ensured which was the death of Lazarus and the family and the were broken by his loss. Even Jesus was moved, this is the incident where it is said that “Jesus wept”.
By there was actually a deeper purpose here, Jesus did not rush off to Lazarus because as he says
“… for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe” (John 11:15)
Jesus had something more important on his mind than Lazarus’ health, it was the belief of his friends and the faith of all of humanity, even for us two thousand years later. Faith and belief take patience and time. It is not instant and it is not easy.
Just like great coffee, the things that are worthwhile take time.
But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. 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. 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 sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
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