Jesus Loved Israel’s Enemies and Still Does

One of the most famous sermons that Jesus Christ preached when he lived in Israel, is called the "Sermon on the Mount." The gospel account of Matthew has the most text recorded of this sermon, which stretches 3 chapters, chapters 5 through 7. One of the things Jesus taught in that sermon was: "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons 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. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?" Shortly after saying this, he put his teaching into action, with an encounter of a Roman military commander, who represented Israel's enemy. This Roman officer came to Jesus and asked him to heal his servant, without even going to his home, because he recognized the authority that Jesus had to heal. Jesus replied that he had never seen such faith even among the Jews living in Israel, and he healed the commander's servant. Jesus loved Israel's enemies, and he still does today.