The answer is: The unthankful and the evil

Luke 6:35

Imagine a moment in the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus drops a thought that's as surprising as it is profound: God’s kindness reaches out to everyone, even those we might least expect—like the unthankful and the wicked. This bold declaration invites us to reflect on how expansive divine grace truly is.

In the verses around Luke 6:35, the message isn't merely about consistency in kindness, but also an encouragement to shift our own viewpoints. Jesus' followers are called to extend love indiscriminately, even when it's hard—talk about a revolutionary idea! It flips our standard expectations upside down, challenging us to rethink how we define goodness and reward.

Interestingly, Jesus' teachings here echo the principles found in the Hebrew scriptures, where God's mercy is elaborated on. For instance, Psalm 145:9 states that "The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made." This mirrors the universal love present in Jesus' words.

What's also fun to note is that this wisdom ties into the attitude of gratitude—what it means to be thankful in all circumstances. The reminder to practice kindness without expecting anything in return escalates as we realize that being generous in spirit does wonders for our own hearts, too! Isn’t that the lovely twist? As we model this approach basing ourselves on radical love and grace, we illuminate not just our lives but empower those around us to flourish.