While Jesus was on earth, He taught a lot about love and forgiveness. In our Bible Reading today, Jesus talked about loving and forgiving our enemies.

In these verses, Jesus mentioned several things that we should do for our enemies. First, we should love them and do good things for them. Then, we should pray for them and ask God to bless them.

It may be hard for us to do those things. Often we want to hurt people who are hurting us or say bad things about those who criticize us. But in verse 35a Jesus said, “I’m telling you to love your enemies and do good to them…If you do this, you will receive a great reward. You will be children of the Most High God.”

Are there people who hate you or try to do bad things to you? God wants you to love and forgive them. “Give love and mercy the same as your Father gives love and mercy” (verse 36).