God’s first covenantal people received a Law given to them from a mountain in Sinai. God’s people of the new covenant received a law from a mount (probably more of a hill) somewhere in Galilee. God’s servant, Moses, was the mediator of the first; God’s Son, the giver of the second. The first was given so that God’s people might know how to live as a set apart people in a foreign land they would eventually possess. The second, so that God’s people might know how to live as born-again people in the kingdom of heaven which had already come but was yet to be fully realized. The first dealt a lot with external actions befitting sanctified people, the second focused more on the hearts and attitudes of Spirit-filled, Spirit-empowered people. And as I hover over a few verses from what is commonly referred to as Jesus’ sermon on the mount, I’m reminded this morning of the old adage, “Like Father, like son.”

The well-known proverb simply conveys the often-true observation that a son’s character or behavior can be expected to resemble that of his father. That daughter’s often grow up thinking and acting a lot like their mothers. That kids tend to imitate and replicate their parents. Mostly true? Sometimes true of the way of the children of men? I think so. But if I’m accurately picking up on what Jesus is actually laying down this morning, it is to always be true of the children of God.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” ~ Jesus

(Matthew 5:43-45 ESV)

When it comes to the family of God, wanna know how much one of the kids on earth is reflecting the heart and ways of their Father who is in heaven? See if they’re loving their enemies. Listen for them praying for those who persecute them. How’s that for “Like Father, like son”?

Jesus, THE Son, He who is the Christ, did, in fact, love and pray for His enemies (Jn. 12:47, Lk. 23:34). So too should those who are “in Christ.”

But it won’t be by our might, nor by our power, but only by His Spirit (Zec. 4:6). Because we’re not talking about a natural affection here, but a supernatural one. We’re not talking about the expected response to taking it in the teeth from someone — such as repaying evil for evil or reviling those who revile you — but an unexpected response (1Peter 2:23, 3:9).

Love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you. Respond like your Father, so that others might know you are His children.

Big ask. Yeah, but big God.

Love my enemies. Pray for those who, according to the literal sense of the word, would threaten me, insult me, slander me, and even falsely accuse me. Really? Yeah, really.

Not how I’m naturally wired. True, but you’ve been supernaturally rewired (2Cor. 5:17).

I’m gonna fall short at times. Yes, but if you confess your sin He is faithful and just to forgive your sin (1Jn. 1:9). The blood of Christ, the power of the cross, covers the short falls and compels you towards obedience in the long run.

Okay, Lord. Love my enemies, pray for those who persecute me. Like Father, like sons. Like Father, like daughters.

Only by Your grace — the grace which is all-sufficient for overcoming the hindrances of the flesh, so that Your power might be made perfect in my weakness (2Cor. 12:7-9).

Only for Your glory — that it would reflect Your heart, the One who makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.