In continuance of last week’s topic, Jesus now directly confronts human ideals and turns them on their heads – love enemies, pray for the abuser, give away your possessions. While His hearers were probably dumbfounded by these teachings, they are consistent with the very character of God, who is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love”. Like Joseph reconciling with his brothers when they deserved punishment, God deals with us according to His never-ending grace rather than our sinfulness. In that truth, He calls us, His redeemed children, to a life of grace toward others.