Every Friday I join a community of bloggers for Five Minute Friday. One word prompt, five minutes. Unedited. The prompt this week is … Sunshine.
I remember the first time the verse was quoted to me. I was hurt and upset and had turned to an older and wiser woman in church.
My reaction and words must have been similar to the disciples, who when Jesus was not welcomed asked:
“But the people of the village did not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to Jerusalem. When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, “Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?†But Jesus turned and rebuked them.” (Luke 9:53-55, NLT)
We can be so quick to judge and exact judgement at times. But the Lord rebuked the disciples then, and He gently rebuked me that day years ago as I talked with the lady in church.
In her gentleness, she offered this godly response:
“For he [God] gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.” (Matthew 5:45b, NLT)
The verse is found in the middle of Jesus teaching His disciples to love and pray for their enemies. Jesus reminded them of the Father’s love for His enemies and those who reject Him.
God blesses the just and the unjust with sunshine and rain. Both get to equally enjoy the benefits when He bestows good weather.
He seeks to remind both the godly and the ungodly of His love for them and to draw them to Himself, even through the sunshine and the rain.
Jesus said this:
“But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:44, NLT)Â
May we enjoy the sunshine,
and let it be a reminder to pray for those around us.
The sunlight falls upon the righteous,
and the evildoers, too;
to cast them thus is not presumptuous,
for I have seen just what they do,
but so, of course, has God above,
and He’s giving me a nudge.
He knows that maybe I can’t love
these folk, but at least I should not judge,
’cause even the dude on the Cross
that day, by Jesus’ side,
accepted J Man as the boss
at the moment that he died,
and though his life had not been nice,
he’s mates with Christ in paradise.
Very good reminder. It’s hard to do sometimes when we are being hurt by those we love. thank you for sharing sunshine!
Joanne, what a lovely way to remember God’s grace and forgiveness and reminder to extend it to others.
What a wise woman she was Joanne!
Blessings, Jennifer
Good reminder, and one I often need because in my humanness it bugs me when good things happen to people who have done me wrong. But yeah, I don’t deserve God’s love either. Glad he’s merciful and helps me forgive. Visiting from FMF#8
I love what you brought out of such a familiar passage. It is so easy to read with an “I’ve read that before” mindset and miss what God wants to say today. Thanks for sharing.
Love this! You’ve reminded me, too, how we are not to judge others.
Thank you for this reminder to pray for everyone. Sometimes we don’t know what people are experiencing.
Good reminder, Joanne..
Thanks for sharing.
A beautiful pathway for your writing this week. Both of you have shown wisdom. The one who advised you and you listening and accepting correction.
Thank you for sharing your words here!
Lisa FMF #16
A great reminder, Joanne. Thanks!