Re:Verse reading–Matthew 5:17-48 (day two)
“For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?” 45-47
If we are only ever kind to those who are kind to us, where does peace begin? This passage offers another look at the golden rule. God does not remove sunshine and flowers from those who oppose his will. Similarly he does not withhold disease, poverty, and hunger from those who follow him. The good news is that his mercy is offered to all. As the sun and showers are for everyone, so is his grace. Our role in the building of the kingdom is not to determine who is worthy of these gifts, but offer them freely to all. There are things that continue to hinder our response to this call. Our own prejudice or ignorance can blind us to the responsibility we have to our neighbor. If we only love those who look and act like us we will perpetuate the building of walls to keep people from the Gospel rather than building relationships that will share it.
