Text: Matthew 5:38-48
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’
Remember that we read that verse from the Old Testament last week:
Exodus 21:23-25, if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise. (This was about legal retribution enforced by a court, not personal vengeance).
In Deuteronomy 19:21, the author adds, “Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
What was Jesus’ take on this?
39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
do not resist an evil person.
“Resist” is a military term, “to take a strong stand against an opponent.”
Jesus says, do not take a strong stand against an opponent.
What does this look like in everyday life?
If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.
The blow to the right cheek was the most grievous insult in the ancient world.
Jesus taught that even if someone severely insults us we are not to take a strong stand against them.
If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.
Roman soldiers had the legal right to co-opt labour from the people, their animals, or their material goods.
In Australia today, during a declared ‘emergency situation’ or ‘state of emergency’ an authorised officer may ‘… take control of or make use of any place, vehicle or other thing’.
The difference is the Romans were the enemies of the Jews. And that is Jesus’ point. We may well help those we like, or even those we feel sorry for (like the homeless or beggars). But people we hate or who hate us? We don’t have to help them do we, Jesus? Surely, you don’t expect us to be nice to them. Let’s read on.
(43) “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’
The Old Testament Scriptures don’t say “hate your enemy.” So, Jesus was probably citing Jewish tradition that may have been based on verses like this:
Psalm 139:19-24 (David)
If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
20 They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord,
and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 137:7-9 (Jeremiah)
Remember, Lord, what the Edomites did
on the day Jerusalem fell.
“Tear it down,” they cried,
“tear it down to its foundations!”
8 Daughter Babylon, doomed to destruction,
happy is the one who repays you
according to what you have done to us.
9 Happy is the one who seizes your infants
and dashes them against the rocks.
Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount was revolutionary in the first century, and it still is today.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children 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 own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Love (agapeo) = active demonstration (do something good for)
Why? that you may be children of your Father in heaven.
The sun rises on evil people.
The rain falls on the unrighteous.
The Lord is good to all, says the Psalmist.
You be good to everyone, says Jesus…
that you may be children of your Father in heaven.
Even the tax collectors love those who love them.
Even the pagans greet those who greet them.
Greet = a joyous welcome with an embrace.
Jesus calls his people to a higher way.
Jesus’ way is about doing and being MORE than what people expect of you ~ what are you doing more than others?
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect (mike drop)
I.e. This is what God is like, now imitate him.
Perfect (Gk. Teleios) not “flawless,” or “without fault” but “the ongoing completion of Christian character.” Maturity.
Teleios is where we get out English word “Telescope” from. It unfolds or extends, one stage at a time to function at full-strength (it’s full capability).
Jesus sets a high standard in his Sermon on the Mount for his followers to aspire to. It’s a small gate, a narrow road that leads to the life. Only a few find it, said Jesus, but it is the most radical way to live.
How can I love my haters?
1. Define who your enemies are.
Lit. a non-friend.
Someone with whom ill-will exists.
2. Confess your hate.
Be honest with your feelings.
3. Serve the Lord.
You desire to serve God. What if serving God included doing something kind for someone you don’t like or who doesn’t like you?
4. Pray for them regularly.
Create a name list of your non-friends and pray for them.
Simple prayer: “Lord, have mercy.”
5. Choose to let go of hate.
Mark Twain, “Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.”
6. Read the stories of the Saints and Martyrs.
This will provide you with perspective in your challenges.
7. Lean on the strength of the Holy Spirit.
You cannot live Jesus’ Way, or love your haters, in your own strength. You can only do this as you rely on God’s grace in the power of the Holy Spirit. Look at these challenges as an OFG, an Opportunity for Grace!
I’ll finish this message with the example of Saul, the Christ-hater. An authorised killer sent to imprison and terminate Christians, Saul experienced a dramatic conversion after an encounter with the risen Christ.
Later, he penned these words to the Roman church (Romans 12). Observe how they reflect the words of Jesus that we’ve considered today:
(14) Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
(17) Do not repay anyone evil for evil.
(20) “If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
(Quoting: Prov. 25:21,22)
(21) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
In other words, the Jesus’ way is never passive and idle.
Discussion Questions
Has anyone ever given you a backhanded compliment? What did they say? How did you feel?
Share together your personal experiences of difficult people. How did you deal with these difficulties? Have you tried Jesus’ Way? What was the result?
Read and discuss these Scriptures: Luke 6:27-28; Cf. Matthew 5:43-48; Romans 12:14, 17-21.
Discuss how Jesus treated his enemies. Judas, for example.
What does it look like in everyday life to not take a strong stand against an opponent?
Jesus said, love your enemies. Love (Gk. agapeo) refers to an active demonstration. In other words, do something good for someone who doesn’t like you. Share examples of when you have done this/not done this. What was the outcome?
Read and discuss the seven suggestions on How can I love my haters?