It’s easy to interpret the Bible in terms from our own perspective. For example, consider the opening verse of the 23rd Psalm:
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” – Psalm 23:1 (NKJV)
If we grew up around farm animals, we don’t have to dream up much. We remember what sheep were like and how shepherds took care of them. We get what the psalmist David means when he calls the Lord our shepherd. Even if we lack such experience, we can still envision what David’s talking about.
But sometimes our imagination misunderstands the point of a Bible verse. I’ve heard one cited by many Christians. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus declares that God sends people both sunshine and rain. A lot of believers suppose that Christ was discussing God’s control over the world. And since He has complete control, we have to accept the good and the bad in life. It’s all from Him. In this way of thinking, sunshine represents blessings while rain refers to problems.
But that’s not what Jesus means!
To get a better idea of what the Lord was telling His disciples, let’s look at the context.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” – Matthew 5:43-48
There’s the line, in the second half of verse 45. Jesus describes two groups of people, each of whom receive two items from God’s hand. Since the people are in two categories, good and evil, the gifts must also be good and bad. This makes sense, but it doesn’t fit the passage.
Jesus uses sun and rain to illustrate a point about life in the kingdom of God. He wants His followers to treat others like God treats them. And how does the Father deal with people? He blesses them!
Jesus sets up the problem by referencing two Old Testament verses. The command to love your neighbor comes from the book of Leviticus.
“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.” – Leviticus 19:18
The idea about hating enemies stems from the 139th Psalm.
“I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies.” – Psalm 139:22
The Old Testament law permitted hating one’s enemies. But Jesus was ushering the kingdom of God to this world and its demands exceed those of the past. It’s natural to bless friends and curse enemies, but Jesus calls us to live beyond the natural. Life in the kingdom of God is supernatural!
But supernatural doesn’t mean weird! In fact, the opposite is true. Kingdom behavior is so normal that people can overlook it. When the sun is shining, everyone benefits. And when it rains, everyone’s farm gets rain. Without sunshine and rain, crops won’t grow and there’d be no food. So God demonstrates generosity by providing these elements. Everyone receives, regardless of his or her moral stature.
This is how God treats people; Jesus wants us to do the same. God doesn’t restrict His blessings and neither should we.
The apostle Paul backs up the idea of God’s universal benevolence. Preaching the gospel to idol worshipers in the city of Lystra, Paul reminds them about the Creator.
“Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” – Acts 14:17
God has given people rain, crops, food, and joy. All blessings! And these testify about the character of the Lord. He is good and does good!
So rain isn’t bad. In the context of the sermons of Jesus and Paul, it represents a blessing God bestows upon everyone. No one deserves rain, but God pours it out because He loves people.
And as disciples of Jesus Christ, we are to imitate Him by sharing His goodness with everyone. When we do this, we grow in our understanding of God’s Word because we’re living it out. And that’s the goal of Bible study.
Recent Comments