Preached by Rev. Erik Kindem.
Scripture: Genesis 45:1-11; Luke 6:27-38
Summary
Sometimes our worst enemies are the members of our own families. Today, the climax of the Joseph story from Genesis and Christ’s command to “love our enemies” in Luke, show us the stark difference between the ways of the world and the ways of God. These texts challenge us by asking: ? Are you willing to put aside your woundedness in favor of God’s mercy? Are you willing to forgive the very people you have every right to be angry and resentful about? Are you ready to live by a community ethic that calls you to love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you? It’s hard to even imagine what it would be like to live this way. And yet, Christ’s words this morning are so crystal clear that we can’t simply ignore them.