God is concerned with every area of our lives. So far in Matthew, Jesus has taught about the problem of sin being not just outward actions but born in the heart. This means that our thoughts and desires, as well as actions, can be sinful and do the terrible work of separating us from God. Jesus has said how our words can also get us into trouble by promising too much or too little, and by what we say to others. Now, Jesus addresses the problem of how to deal with people who do not like you, or maybe that you don’t like. How you treat your enemies and those who demand things of you reflects on you, and how obedient you are to God.
Matthew 5:38–48 (ESV):
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
During this section, Jesus reflects on the passage in Leviticus 24 (v17-22) when God taught the Israelites that crimes should be justly paid for. If someone steals something, they have to give it back or replace it, if someone kills another’s animal, they must ‘make it good, life for life’. This is the context on which the eye for an eye statement is made. If someone injures ‘their neighbour’ then, ‘whatever injury he has given a person shall be given to him.’ This would seem like justice, but does it actually deal with the root cause of the issue? Jesus explains that now is the time to not deal with one another, or enemies that way.
Jesus instructs, “do not resist the one who is evil”. For the Israelites at this time, they would have seen this to mean the Roman empire who were the occupying force over Israel. Romans had no respect for Jewish culture or law, yet they werre those in power over God’s people. Radically, Jesus is instructing his hearers not to resist them. He identifies that the laws of Leviticus apply to God’s people. It cannot be enforced onto people that are not His (like the Romans) - they are living under other rules and regulations. As the Jews living under Roman occupation, there was a culture and rules impressed upon them that they did not like, want or understand and they could not impose their standards and expectations upon their enemies either. Jesus, wisely, is showing that they should not expect the Romans to act as Jews, and in fact, they need to change their attitude to Romans! Instead of encouraging the Jews to fight back and enforce their traditions and retribution, Jesus says that they should not only unjustly suffer what is imposed on them, but to even offer more to their enemies than is asked for or required! They are to retaliate by offering to bless their enemies not retaliate. This looks like offering someone the other side of your face when they have already slapped you, instead of snatching back a garment which is yours, give them another one, and being willing to carry the heavy armour and possessions of a Roman soldier 2 miles when the rule was to go 1. When an enemy forces you to do something that is hard and may be just and unfair, ask them what else you can do for them. Jesus says this is how to manage enemies. Isn’t that a hard thing to do?!
Yet, is that not exactly what Jesus has done for us?
I think through asking God’s people to demonstrate mercy, grace and forgiveness to others, to be proactive in serving and blessing those who curse or are wicked towards you, you have the great and marvellous privilege of demonstrating a small part of the massive work of forgiveness and mercy Jesus has delivered you. He went far more than a mile! He endured more beatings than a retaliated slapped cheek or stolen possession. His clothes were taken, his life stolen from him, body beaten, bloodied and bruised. Jesus did not fight or argue back. Not once did he complain that it was not fair. He kept on going. He even healed one of the guards ears as they came to arrest him! Jesus loved his enemies. He demonstrated that he was of God by doing so. It cost him. It was painful and unfair, yet he did it anyway. For Jesus does not want people to stay enemies, but for them to have the opportunity to become his family through accepting his forgiveness and love. Jesus was the best example of how not to retaliate, but love enemies instead. You and I were once his enemies, but because of him loving us as we do not deserve, are you not his friend now?
Jesus does not ask us to do the impossible, although it is hard! He modelled how to live a life like this. You will have to give up your expectations of how people should respond to you and take on those of Jesus. It will feel like you are dying to yourself, but look at the freedom Jesus bought for millions of people through turning the other cheek and going the extra mile.
Jesus loved us even though we were his enemies. We deserved punishment, yet he gives us freedom. We deserve to be thrown out, but Jesus draws us in. We deserve hatred from a pure and holy God, but all we receive is love. Therefore it should not be so hard for us to do the little things of showing kindness, respect, honour, grace, forgiveness and love to those whom are not our friends, whom we might even class as enemies. Think about the life you have now because of Jesus. What would have you been like without him? You now have the opportunity to experience something of Jesus’ love through the way you are with them!
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