Doing the Impossible – Family Devotion – February 25, 2022

Read: Luke 6:27-38

But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, … Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. … Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Luke 6:27,30,36

Doing the Impossible

 

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gus thought it was impossible to make a basket in the basketball hoop. Then he saw his older sister, Hattie, make a shot. So Gus tried and tried and tried. Finally made a shot through the hoop!

There are a lot of things that sound impossible until you see someone else do them. Do you think you could change a dirty diaper? Eww, never! But ask your mom how many dirty diapers she’s changed! Ask her to show you how, she probably would! There are things that are hard to do, but eventually we find we can do them because someone else does them and shows us how.

Jesus tells us to do some hard things today, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, pray for those who mistreat you, lend to enemies without expecting to get anything back.” These seem impossible to do! Enemies fight against you and don’t like you. I thought you should avoid and defend yourself against your enemies, not be nice to them or help them! You can’t just give without getting back, can you? These don’t seem like things we want to do or can do until we see Jesus do them. He did them for us, didn’t he? Our sinfulness and naughtiness had made us God’s enemies. We loved ourselves the most, rather than others or him. But Jesus loved us—his enemies. He gave up not just his coat or money for us, he gave up his own life. Do you remember how Jesus died? He died on the cross for us. He loved us so much. He did good to us and to all people—even those who hated him. He prayed for all people. His love changed our lives and eternity. We get to go to heaven because Jesus loved, lived, died, and rose from the grave for us.

What can our love do? God can use your love to impact others too. You may just make a friend out of an enemy by helping them, loving them, praying for them. God uses your prayers and the good things you do for others to change other people’s outlook, helping them to listen when you tell them about their Savior.

Jesus did the impossible for us. He uses you to do impossible things too!

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, please use our love and help for others to make friends out of enemies. Help all people learn about how you made us your friends. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• What did Gus first think was impossible, but finally was able to do?
• How did Jesus show his love for us? Name one way we can we show his love to other people?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Think of two reasons why it is hard to do nice things for people who aren’t nice.
• Remember the last time you weren’t so nice. Name at least two things God has done for you.

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Why does it surprise our enemies when we do something nice for them?
• Which has the greater impact: to do something nice for a good friend or to help your enemy with something they need? Why?