We enjoy blessing those who love us. The kingdom of God adds a dimension that is not so easy. We can bless those who do not love us.

Verses

Numbers 6:24-27 The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Luke 6:28 Bless those who curse you or put condemnation upon you; pray for those who insult, threaten, slander and make false accusations against you.

Observations

This blessing was to be spoken by priests over the people. The blessing was to be verbal. The spoken blessing also had a purpose. That purpose was to be the instrument by which the Lord put his name upon the people. The Lord uses our spoken blessings to impart his name, his heart, his character into our lives. The intent is to lift people up into the presence of God. In his presence is found the fullness of his sustenance. In his presence is found the fullness of his grace and mercy. In his presence is found the fullness of his peace and well-being.

The activity of blessing is easy where love is present. Where love is present, we always desire the best for those we love. Husbands, declare the blessing from Numbers 6 over your wife; Fathers, declare it over your children. Mothers, declare it over your children.

Jesus shifted the context of the activity of blessing. From the easy environment where love is present, he takes us to the realm in which others verbally indicate their desire to keep us away from peace and well-being. When confronted with such verbal opposition, there are two almost universal responses. The first is to respond with some sort of emotion. The second is to formulate some plan for retaliation, or retribution. Both operate in the natural realm, or the realm of the soul.

Jesus indicated that the Kingdom of God is demonstrated via a counter-intuitive activity. The Kingdom of God, operating out of the unseen realm of the spirit, will be demonstrated through the act of blessing. We are to bless where other’s words are unkind. We are also to bless where it is hardest to do so.

Blessing

Lord bless those I love and who love me. Also, bless those whose words are unkind to me or my friends. Keep them and sustain them, for rain falls on all with no distinction. Let the light of your glory, grace and mercy shine upon them this day, and forever, for your mercy endures forever. Turn your face towards them and grant them the fullness of your peace and well-being.