Jesus never limited His love to those who were easy to love. He welcomed the outsiders, touched the untouchable, shared meals with the despised and showed compassion to people others had overlooked. His life was a beautiful, and often confronting, example of what it means to love everyone.
Pastor Rowe brought our Grow series through 2 Peter 1 to a close with Peter's final encouragement: love for everyone. Drawing from Luke 6:27–36, she reflected on Jesus' call to love even our enemies, do good to those who hurt us, and bless and pray for those we find difficult to love. This isn't about excusing injustice or pretending hurt doesn't matter. It's about allowing God to work in our hearts, beyond our immediate reactions, so that His compassion shapes the way we see and treat others.
“Do good. Bless. Pray.”
These were the words Rowe returned to as she reflected on the extraordinary love Jesus demonstrated on the cross. Even in His suffering, He extended forgiveness to those who had hurt Him. It's a love we cannot manufacture in our own strength, but one that God has already equipped us to grow in through His Spirit.
As we shared communion together, we were invited to remember the depth of Christ's love, examine our own hearts and recognise that His forgiveness and compassion extend to everyone. A fitting conclusion to a series grounded in the promise that God has given us everything we need to grow more like Him.
