Jesus approaches a topic that is a universal struggle for all of humanity.  What does it look like for us to love people that we regard as enemies, or at least, that we don’t get along with and don’t like?

Although the Old Testament doesn’t instruct the people of God to literally hate their enemy, that sentiment was prevalent and widely accepted. Jesus confronts the cultural atmosphere that made it permissible to treat supposed enemies with abject disregard.

Jesus' invitation is not just to get along with those we do not like.  It’s much deeper.  It is an invitation to reflect the love that Jesus has shown us.  To turn enemies to friends, and friends to brothers and sisters, through freeing them from the brokenness they are entrapped in.