Interim Senior Minister, Rev. Dr. Cameron Douglas’ message is, “My Little Black Book” based on Matthew 5:38-48

Overview

In Matthew 5:43 Jesus intentionally misquotes from the Hebrew scriptures. “You have heard that it is said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’” the “Love your neighbor” part is directly from Leviticus 19:18, but the “hate your enemy” is an insertion by Jesus to reflect common usage among the scribes and Pharisees.

Israel was living a ‘dualistic’ approach to love. Sure love your fellow Israelites, your neighbors, and the obvious inference is to hate your enemy. They believed their hatred represented God’s judgment. Jesus redefines the term love (as in the Parable of the Good Samaritan), and he clearly defines neighbor as anyone in need, even your enemies.