ALARMING OTHERS
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Opening Prayer
Holy Spirit, as I reflect on Scripture today, show me where I can be more like Jesus, how I can better live for him and share his love with others.
Read MATTHEW 5:38—48
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Matthew
Matthew 5
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’
39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.
41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45 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.
46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Reflect
How often do you pray for your friends? Your enemies?
A black Christian leader in South Africa was asked how he responds when humiliated and forced to do a menial task. ‘I complete it and ask if there is anything else he would like me to do to help him. This totally takes the wind out of his sails.’1 Today’s verses are packed with astonishing instructions. Jesus gives some examples of being insulted, such as being slapped in the face or being sued for the shirt off your back. The Roman context is especially evident, particularly in the military’s right to compel assistance. (Remember how Simon is ordered to carry the cross for Jesus.2) In each example, Jesus calls us to show a generosity of spirit that refuses vengeful thoughts or retaliatory action. Behaving in such different ways alarms people!
This generosity of spirit, so unnatural in our hurtful world, owes everything to experiencing God’s overwhelming love, which initiates a new kind of justice in his kingdom. Because we have experienced his undeserved love, the way we view enemies and neighbors should be transformed. They are people who deserve God’s love, too, through us. This is the first time the special Christian Greek word ‘agape’ appears in the gospel. It’s natural human behavior to place limits on kindness, but Christ’s love places no limits on his love for everyone. Note how Jesus points out that when we take pride in our best actions, our neighbors do the same. We should go beyond normal behavior, with no limits to our generosity.
There is no doubting the challenge of these inner attitudes and radical behavior. The bar is set high. Just as the Father’s perfect character is to love everyone, so we are called to share that attitude toward everyone (v. 48).
Apply
What concrete loving thing can you do for someone who falls into the category of enemy or neighbor? Jesus expects action!
Closing prayer
Help me, Lord, to startle people by showing generosity—let your boundless love continue to change my inner attitudes.
1 Michael Green, Matthew for Today (Hodder, 1988), 78, 79 2 Matt 27:32.
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