Jesus’s life on earth was to show man the Father’s heart. Everything we know about Him was unconventional. According to the law they always had something to accuse him of. A story is told about a man who had leprosy. Back in those days, anyone who touched a leper was too considered unclean. But how is it that Jesus touched a leper and many still came to him for healing? Let us find out more.

In one of the villages, Jesus met a man with an advanced case of leprosy. When the man saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground, begging to be healed. “Lord,” he said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared. Luke 5:12‭-‬13 NLT

Jesus reaching out and touching the leper brought the love of the Father by destroying ideologies people had built up for themselves. His life illustrated the Father’s heart. Similar to systems/traditions in the church we have today. The bible tells us that many have made the word of God of non-effect because of their many traditions. When traditions, ideologies, and systems hinder the work of the Holy Spirit. When they are more concerned about the image of the church than they are of people they cease to align with the Father’s heart.

The Father’s heart is one of redemption and restoration.

He desires that no man perishes but everyone comes to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. This is why He made tax collectors and other sinners feel welcomed in the Kingdom of God, He forgave adulterers without shaming them, He touched the untouchable, and didn’t wait for a better day to meet the needs of those in need. There is nothing that separates us from the love of the Father.

Jesus broke religion to introduce a relationship with God.

When you are in a relationship you go out of your way to meet the needs of the person you love. And that’s what Jesus Christ exemplified through His life.

The Father’s heart teaches us to love the unlovable

“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. Luke 6:27‭-‬28‭, ‬35 NLT

Ever wondered what was in the Father’s heart when He gave this instruction. Love, that’s what! Loving those that have brought you to hurt is not the easiest thing to do. Loving those who continue to hurt us is even harder, but that is exactly what God instructs us to do. Jesus taught us something as he walked on earth. He loved the one who was going to betray him, Judas. He kept him by his side.

When society teaches us that wisdom is to set boundaries or move away from such people and pray from afar, Jesus says otherwise. You might think well Jesus did it because it was in fulfillment of prophecy. If this were the case, why would Jesus instruct us to respond to those that have hurt us (willingly or unwillingly), those that continue to hurt us, those whose intentions we might know and are planning on hurting us with love?

This is because as new creations with Jesus alive in us, it is possible. And this is the best form of ministry that can deliver the lost from a life of darkness. It is hard, but not impossible because God instructs it. We are encouraged to reflect the Father’s heart in our interaction with others, If He instructs it, it means He expects it from His children.

I might not know half the things your enemies have done to you. Trust me, I do have my own share of encounters with “enemies” who out of the jealousy and evil in their hearts have allowed the devil to use them to steal, kill and destroy my life too. So I understand the weight of loving the one who is stopping your progress or wanting to kill you, or who is delaying your blessing or stopping your breakthrough.

We all know those that hurt us the most are those closest to us. Whether it’s your mother, father, husband, wife, aunt, uncle, brother, sister, son, daughter, or in-law our responsibility as believers especially as we await the coming of Christ, is to reflect the Father’s heart. God is encouraging us to love the unlovable!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for the opportunity to love the unlovable and share your love for them. Thank you, Lord, that my life reflects your heart of reconciliation, redemption, and restoration of your children back to you. Teach me oh Holy Spirit, to speak words of life, the kind that brings healing, forgiveness, and encouragement for those that need to experience the Father’s heart in their lives in Jesus’ Name, Amen