The Father’s Plan

After letting his disciples know what to expect as they leave this mountaintop experience with him, Jesus turns his attention to explaining the Father's plan for reaching the world. The atmosphere must have been electric—everyone likely shouting, “Let’s take the world!” But Jesus quiets them and begins to share the game plan. This isn’t about violent revolution or political takeover. It’s about bringing freedom from Rome and from the curse of sin—and the plan is radically different from anything they’d expect.

Over the next two years, Jesus will explain this plan in full and live it out before the eyes of his disciples. It will end in the ultimate act of love—his own death. Get ready to have your world turned upside down.

Questions from your reading

• As you read this passage, how would you identify the core value of this kingdom movement?
• In what way was this radical love to be expressed?
• Two illustrations are given in Luke 6:43–49. What are these illustrations saying to us?
• Today, what are some practical ways in which you can live out radical love?
• What other questions do you still have?

Reflecting on your reading

Did you catch the plan? It isn’t complicated—but it is revolutionary. Jesus unveils it to his new leaders with a message that could be summarised something like, “Don’t kill a Roman; hug a Roman.” From the world’s perspective, this is a crazy plan—love your enemies. How could that possibly lead to change, freedom or justice? It must have sounded absurd to those early listeners. Honestly, it still does. But Jesus calls his followers to a kind of love that expects nothing in return (Luke 6:35). This isn’t sentimental affection—it’s a radical, supernatural, God-shaped love that transforms hearts and rewrites history.

So how does it work? How do we love our enemies? Jesus gives us some practical steps in Luke 6:37–38. First, stop judging. That’s not your role—it belongs to God. Second, stop condemning. Instead, extend forgiveness—not because people deserve it, but because Jesus calls us to give freely what we have freely received.

This kind of love isn’t easy. For Jesus’ early followers, the Romans weren’t abstract enemies—they were real people who had mutilated their families, stolen their land, and abused their neighbours. To forgive them wasn’t merely difficult—it was impossible without divine help. That’s why this love is so powerful. It doesn’t come from us—it comes from God.

Their faces must have dropped when Jesus shared this strategy. It wasn’t what they were expecting. He looked at them and said, “Can the blind lead the blind?” (Luke 6:39). If they were going to lead others, they had to be transformed first. Then he added, “A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.” It begins with Jesus. He will model this way of love and train them to follow him.

And that’s exactly what happened. The early church shocked the Roman world with their supernatural forgiveness. They didn’t conquer Rome with swords—they did it with suffering love. Many gave their lives, not just for the cause of Christ, but in forgiving those who took everything from them.

Jesus finishes this teaching with a challenge: stop pointing out the sins of others, and start examining your own heart. Out of the heart the mouth speaks—including words of forgiveness. Then he says something that cuts deep: “Why do you call me ‘Lord’ and not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46). In other words, don’t just listen to this teaching—go home and live it. That’s how the kingdom spreads.

Applying what you’ve read

Do you want to see God’s hand in your life? Then obey him.

Who is your enemy? Make a list. It could include people close to you or people far away. Be honest—between you and God, who are you secretly condemning? That person is your enemy. We do this more often than we think. In our minds, we hold court over others—judging their motives, assuming their intentions, and handing out silent sentences of rejection, gossip, or distance.

Now the hard part. Choose one person from that list and extend forgiveness today. Then meet with another disciple and talk about this radical plan of love. Ask God to search your heart, reveal your judgemental attitudes, and help you release them. Confess them. Receive his forgiveness. And then—extend it to others.