“Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

​​–Luke 6:28
 

Annotation: Jesus teaches a radical response to mistreatment: instead of responding in anger, believers are called to bless and pray for those who harm them.
 

Note: This verse challenges the natural human response to anger, advocating instead for a Christlike attitude of love and prayer.

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This teaching is part of Jesus' Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:17–49), where He outlines a radical way of living that contrasts with the ways of the world. The verse emphasizes love, forgiveness, and grace in the face of hostility or mistreatment. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:

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Key Points:

1. "Bless those who curse you":

   • To bless someone means to speak well of them, to wish them good things, and to pray for their well-being. It’s the opposite of cursing or speaking ill of someone.

   • Cursing refers to speaking negatively, wishing harm or ill will upon someone, especially when they have hurt or wronged you.
      

   • Jesus teaches that instead of responding in kind (i.e., cursing or retaliating), His followers should bless those who speak against them. This is a radical and counterintuitive command that goes against natural human instincts. Instead of responding to insult with more insult, Christians are called to respond with kindness, compassion, and goodwill.
      

2. "Pray for those who mistreat you":

   • Praying for those who mistreat you (or "persecute" you, as some translations say) means interceding for them before God. It’s an act of forgiveness and compassion, asking God to bless and guide those who have hurt you.
      

   • Rather than holding grudges or seeking revenge, Jesus teaches His followers to pray for their enemies. This not only brings healing to relationships but also transforms the heart of the one praying. It’s a way of letting go of bitterness and embracing God's grace for both the offender and oneself.
      

   • Praying for your enemies can include asking God to change their hearts, help them turn from their wrong ways, or provide for their needs. It’s a reflection of the love Jesus showed when He prayed for those who crucified Him (Luke 23:34).
      

Context in Jesus' Teachings:

• Luke 6:27-36 is a portion of Jesus' teaching that challenges His followers to love their enemies, do good to those who hate them, and pray for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:43-48 contains similar teaching in the Sermon on the Mount).
   

• Jesus here reverses conventional thinking. The world often teaches to retaliate, seek justice, or return like for like, but Jesus calls His followers to go beyond the norms of retribution and to respond with unconditional love.
   

• This kind of love is not just a feeling but is expressed through action: blessing, praying, and showing kindness even when it's undeserved. This kind of love reflects the grace of God, who loves us despite our unworthiness.
   

The Radical Nature of Jesus' Command:

• Jesus' command to bless those who curse us and pray for those who mistreat us is part of His radical call to live according to the kingdom of God rather than the values of the kingdom of this world.
   

• In a world where anger, revenge, and justice are often sought through retaliation, Christian love calls us to respond differently, showing mercy, compassion, and grace to those who harm us.
   

Application:

• Overcoming Anger with Prayer: When wronged or mistreated, instead of getting angry, we are to pray for the person who wronged us. This helps release bitterness and anger from our hearts, making room for God's peace to work in our lives.
   

• Loving the Unlovable: This command extends even to those who are difficult to love. The true measure of a Christlike heart is not how we treat those who love us, but how we treat those who hate or mistreat us.
   

• Transformative Power of Blessing: By blessing others, even when they curse us, we align ourselves with God's character. God, in His great mercy, has blessed us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8), and we are called to reflect that same grace.
   

Conclusion:

Luke 6:28 is a powerful call to embody a Christlike love that transcends the natural human instinct for self-preservation, retaliation, and bitterness. Jesus teaches His followers to bless and pray for those who curse and mistreat them, demonstrating a love that is not based on what others do to us, but on the love that God has shown us. This radical love, rooted in grace and forgiveness, is what sets Christians apart and is a powerful witness to the world of the transformative power of the gospel.

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Additional Information:

Read the full chapter and find more resources at biblegateway.com (external site)>>

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