“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. Luke 6:27-31
On April 30, 2023, Stephen Curry made history by scoring 50 points and leading the Golden State Warriors to a decisive game 7 series win over the Sacramento Kings. In so doing, Curry broke the record for scoring the highest number of points in a game 7 series in the modern era. Curry finished the game shooting 20-of-38 field gold and had eight rebounds and six assists.
The basketball world was quick to laud Curry with praise for doing what no other basketball player had done. Athletes throughout the sports world tweeted their congratulations to Curry and expressed their amazement at Curry for continuing to break many long-standing records in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Many are left wondering how many more records Curry will break before he retires from Basketball.
In today’s text, Jesus exhorts His followers to break the love record. He told them to love their enemies and do good to those who hate them. No one has ever taught this love principle before. In verse 29, Jesus took it a step further and said, “To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either.” Doing such requires so much holiness, humility, and grace. This kind of love is as rare as Painite, which is the rarest gemstone and mineral on earth.
The record of love can only be broken by those who are filled with the Spirit of God and are determined to live a Christ-centered life. To break this record, one has to “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” Furthermore, only those who do not look only to their own interests, but also to the interests of others can break this record (Philippians 2:3-5).
Many people have been wondering how can a 6’2” basketball player break so many records. This is because Curry is one of the most disciplined and conditioned athletes that ever played the game of basketball. Curry takes great care of his body. He has an unsatiable hunger for winning and is not afraid of the “big moments.”
In the same way, we should discipline our bodies and keep them under control by the power of the Holy Spirit as we run the Christian race. We should make sure our actions are pleasing and acceptable to God and remain obedient to Jesus’ command to love one another. The love that Jesus commands us to demonstrate to others originates from God. It is the result of a life that is yielded to God with the goal of being an ambassador of righteousness.
It may be difficult to determine when the love record is broken by someone because some expressions of love may be driven by selfish ambitions. Nevertheless, the Bible encourages us to outdo one another in our expressions of love. Jesus told His disciples, “From one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either.” This is the type of sacrificial love that can break the record for patience and kindness. It is the kind of love that stirs up the heart of Christ and helps us to live as living testimony for the Lord.
Questions for Personal Reflection
How can you break the love record today?
What do you think about Jesus’ teaching about love in today’s text?
Prayer- Blessed Lord, thank you for loving me with unfailing love. Please help me to excel in loving others and do so unconditionally, just as Christ loves me. Make me an instrument of your love so even my enemies can feel your love through me.