A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:34-35).
In the Beatitudes, Jesus explains to His disciples the character of His Kingdom. He wants them to know that the problem with men is the heart. He taught them to deal with their thoughts before they became acts. Also, His character must be brought to the multitudes by His own disciples, thus affecting change.
Jesus says, in Matthew 5:43-45, “you have heard that it was said, ‘you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, […] for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
Jesus in these passages shows us the character of His Kingdom. The law that governs His Kingdom is His love. His love is selfless and always takes into account the person loved. In John 13:33-35, Jesus says, “… so now I say to you. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Jesus loved us to the end. He loved us to death.
Jesus shows us a way of life that is foreign to the natural man. He says, “love your enemies.” Only those in whom the Son of God lives have this ability. Jesus says, “bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you.” He says that the love of God is never predicated on what others are doing against us or for us but upon who God is. We are sons of God, therefore, we must do as He Himself does.
His kindness is not limited to those who love Him but is extended to everyone. “He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” He loves those who are in opposition to Him, and those who rail against Him, He blesses. Jesus says that we are to do more and go further in making peace and reconciling than sinners.
He requires more of us than we seem to think. The character of His Kingdom does not change, nor does it fail. However, it does change everything that comes into contact with it. Let’s seek Him until we see His Kingdom come in the hearts of men!