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Please turn
with me to Matthew 5 - starting at verse 38. We are working our way through
Jesus’ Sermon on the Hill - Jesus teaching a large diverse crowd on a
hillside on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus has been teaching about what? Jesus is taking the mind bending reality of God and
His kingdom - and bringing all that down to the reality of where we live
our lives. Teaching
us what it means for us to live in relationship with the living God down
on the level where we live life. The
section of Jesus’ teaching that we’ve been looking at these past Sundays -
that we’re looking at today - Jesus is focusing on our relationships
with others - how
those who live in relationship with the living God - that’s us - how we
are to live out that relationship with others. Specifically - in today’s
passage - Jesus is going to be teaching about payback.
How people living in relationship with the living God respond when we’re
wronged. Think about
the worst job you’ve ever had - either the stuff you had to do or the
conditions you had to do it in.
Maybe the boss you worked for. Some of you are having trouble
narrowing down the list. The
last day on the job would be a great opportunity for payback. Wouldn’t it? Check this out - the bosses new
car doesn’t even have its new plates yet and its already got a permanent
parking place. This is another approach to paying
back the boss on your last day. Imagine - your last day - as the
sign guy. The safe
combination is 26-89-14. Never fire the guy who knows the
secret formula. Last
one. Some peoples packages are going to
be a little late. Track
this. Payback. How do we who live
in relationship with the living God respond when we’re
wronged? Matthew
5 - starting at verse 38:
You
have heard that it was said, “An eye for and eye, and a tooth for a
tooth.” But I say to
you... Remember that there’s a pattern that Jesus follows in
this part of His teaching. First - He quotes a
commandment or law from the Old Covenant - “You
have heard that it was said...” - Then -
second part of the pattern - He goes on with His application of that law -
with the deeper implications for our lives. Verse 39: “But
I say to you…” Jesus teaching with Divine authority what God
requires in our relationships with others. Verse 39: But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but
whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone
wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever
forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not
turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. Let’s pause. There are two things we need to
be clear about. First: We need to be clear about the meaning of the
laws that Jesus summarizes in verse 38. In other words - if we were a first
century Jew listening to Jesus what should be going through our minds when
we heard Jesus summarize these laws. Jesus is summarizing at least 3 different passages
from the Old Testament - passages from Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy
- that in effect said this: “If two men struggle with each other and one of them
hits a pregnant woman and something happens to the woman or the child then
the penalty shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for
hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for
bruise.
Or, if a man injures his neighbor, in the same way that he injured
his neighbor so it shall be inflicted on him: fracture for
fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. If a malicious witness rises up to
accuse someone falsely you shall not show pity so that others will hear
and be afraid.
You shall do to him as he intended to do to his brother: life for
life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
(Exodus 21:22-25; Leviticus 24:19,20; Deuteronomy
19:15-21) These laws were intended by God to limit vengeance
and to promote justice. Two Saturdays ago I was watching Jonathan’s soccer
game.
The coach for the other team was loud - obnoxious - saying things
like, “It doesn’t matter run into him anyway.” Finally he got a yellow card. We’re all
thinking, “It’s about time.” Game goes on for a bit and this coach just keeps on
going.
Finally, the ref gives him the red card. At which
point all the parents on our side are cheering. “Yeah. Good job ref.” Their side is screaming about how unfair the ref
is. Coach Red Card has a few words with the ref - acts
like he wasn’t doing anything wrong and the ref is some buffoon. Finally Coach
Red Car leaves the park - swaggering - like some really important
dude. Sarek: “Klingon justice is a unique point of view.” Ever noticed that? How justice often tips in favor of the
beholder.
How we see ourselves as so innocent compared with the staggering
wrong done against us. Do you remember the Klingon proverb “Revenge is a dish that is best served - what? cold”? Kahn Noonian Singh - Star Trek II. Revenge -
vengeance - with all the bitterness and anger and malice possible. Given the
opportunity to retaliate most people will over-retaliate - overdo the
response.
“Your ox gored my goat. I will kill
your whole family.” These laws were there to give the extent at which one
could expect retribution - equivalent justice. One eye for
one eye.
One tooth for one tooth. No more. Regardless of the emotions
involved. Of course the Rabbinical teaching - which the people
listening to Jesus would have been very much aware of - the Rabbinical
teaching had found exceptions - clauses - ways to manipulate the clear
teaching of Scripture. For example: If the eye that was lost was of a vital
young man who had his whole life before him; could the offending village
take the eye of one of its old men who was blind anyway, and offer that in
exchange? We see this today. What used to be taken care of with a
verbal agreement or a handshake now requires reams of pages of fine print
and teams of lawyers. Remember the bumper sticker: “Hit Me I
Need The Money.” The law no longer is as important as
how it can be manipulated to our own personal benefit. The problem with the law is that it doesn’t change
the heart.
Say that with me: “The problem with the law is that it doesn’t change
the heart.” That’s where Jesus goes starting in verse 39. The second thing we need to be clear about is
Jesus’ application of these laws to where we live life. Jesus gives 4 examples of injustice done to us - and
what our response should be. First - verse 39 - someone slaps us on the right
cheek.
Anyone been slapped on their cheek? Hurts doesn’t it? Many - many - years ago when I worked in a sporting
goods and music store - which is a long story in itself - renting band
instruments - selling team uniforms - shoes - and pianos. It was an
interesting job. There was this really obnoxious customer who used to
come in and buy sports stuff from us - team uniforms and things. This guy was
a tad big - had issues - had the attitude to go along with it. Are we
tracking together? He was not a pleasant person to deal
with. One day when he was on his way out of the store - but
apparently not out of ear shot - I made some unfortunate under the breath
comment about his character. This guy came back in and just reamed
me across the face. What hurt worse than the slap - which hurt - was the
humiliation.
Standing in the store with everybody - co-workers - customers -
just staring. Jesus says if someone slaps you on your right
cheek.
Which is backwards. A right-handed person is going to slap
us on our left cheek. Go ahead and try that with the person
next to you.
NO!
Don’t do that. To slap on the right cheek means a
backhanded slap. Intended to humiliate more than
hurt. In other words - if someone just royally humiliates
you - trashes your pride - why don’t you leave yourself open to being hurt
again? Hang in there. Verse 40. If someone
sues you for your shirt. Shirts were like clothing we wear next to our skin -
like we’d wear pants and shirt today. Cloaks were outer clothing. Think about a
heavy coat - like a blanket - that we could wrap around ourselves to keep
ourselves warm.
That’s a cloak. According to Old Testament law the poorest Hebrew -
even a homeless person - always had a right to a cloak. (Exodus
22:26,27) No one could sue us and take away our cloak. Because a
cloak was an essential for life - like a portable tent - something to
huddle under on a cold night. Jesus says, if someone brings a lawsuit against you
and is awarded your shirt - which they may be entitled to - but its really
petty - suing someone for something as frivolous as a shirt. If someone
wins against you in some humiliating petty lawsuit - why not give them
your cloak - which they’re not entitled to - why not give them your cloak
also? Example number 3 - verse 41. Someone
forces you to go a mile. Roman soldiers had the right to demand someone -
anyone they chose - to require that person to carry their pack for a
mile.
Remember Simon of Cyrene? Jesus is unable to carry His cross to
Golgotha.
The Romans drafted Simon to carry Jesus’
cross for Him. (Matthew 27:32) Same idea. We could be standing on the side of the street
minding our own business. This Roman soldier walks by. Says to
himself, “Self. I’m tired.” And next thing we’re carrying his
luggage for a mile. Imagine having to do that for the hated
occupiers of your land. It adds insult to injury. The law said they could only compel us to go one
mile.
Jesus says, “Go the extra mile. Go two.” Fourth example - verse 42 - if someone - who you know
will never ever - not in this lifetime - will never ever pay you back -
comes and asks you for something - give it to them anyway. The point Jesus is making - with these four examples
- has to do with yielding our rights. Our normal tendency when wronged is to
demand justice - and maybe a little more. Well, maybe a lot more. Payback. But, when we yield - not wallowing in victimhood -
not demanding our rights verses someone else’s - causing hurt to others -
or ourselves living bitter and angry - when we yield our rights we open up
our hearts to God’s transforming work within us. God begins to
show us the truth about our hearts - where its hard for us to let go -
where we’re hanging on to ourselves and not trusting God. We begin
to learn to get past ourselves and to love as Jesus loved - to be people
of mercy and grace. Verse 43: You have heard that it was said - again the pattern - Old Testament law -
You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your
neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, love your enemies and
pray for those who persecute you so that you may be sons of your Father
who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good,
and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Let’s pause. There are two things we need to be
clear about. First: We need to be clear about the meaning of the law
that Jesus summarizes in verse 43. In other words - if we were a first
century Jew listening to Jesus what should be going through our minds when
we heard Jesus summarize these laws. In Leviticus 19 God tells His people, “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge
against the sons of your people, but, you shall love your neighbor
as yourself… Love your neighbor as what? yourself. The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as
the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself...” (Leviticus 19:18,32,33) Back to verse 43 - When Jesus is quoting Leviticus
what does He leave out? The whole “as yourself” part. Completely leaves it out. Then, notice,
what does Jesus add to Leviticus? The “and hate your enemy part.” That wasn’t in the Old Testament law. Remember the Biblical scholar that came to Jesus to
test Him?
He asked Jesus the question, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal
life?” Jesus answered, “What’s written in the Law?” The scholar answers, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your
heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all
your mind; and your neighbor - as what? yourself.” Jesus says, “You’ve answered correctly; do this and you will
live.” What was the scholar’s next question? “Who is my neighbor?” Who qualifies - who fits in the category - as my
neighbor? What comes next? Jesus launches into the parable of the
Good Samaritan.
A man gets mugged on the way to Jericho. He’s left
naked and half dead on the side of the road. 2 guys come
by.
One’s a priest - sees the man - and does what? Crosses over
to the other side of the road and passes by. Second man -
a Levite comes by - crosses over to the other side of the road and passes
by.
Then who comes by? The evil - dreaded - not quite a Jew -
we don’t touch those - Samaritan. Who does what? Takes care of the mugged guys wounds -
takes him to an inn - pays for his care. Jesus asks this Biblical scholar, “So, which of the three proved to be a neighbor to
the man?”
(Luke 10:25-37) Who are our neighbors? Everyone. Anyone who
needs love poured out on them like we pour it out on ourselves. The reason Jesus - here in the Sermon on the Mount -
presents the Old Testament law leaving out neighbors as yourself part and
adding enemies - the reason this Biblical scholar struggles with the
question - is because the widespread understanding of the law in Jesus’
day was to love those in our community and to hate everyone else. Its possible that while Jesus is misquoting the law
that the people He’s talking to may not have known the difference. They’d be
saying, “Yep, that’s what we’ve heard.” Imagine that you’ve decided to go on a diet to loose
weight.
With the diet comes a long list of foods you can’t eat. But, when you
go out to a restaurant you skim the dessert menu to find foods which are
not on the “cannot eat” list. To your delight you find that most of
the dessert items are not on the list. Without a second thought you order the
triple layer dark chocolate cream cake with the extra whipped frosting
à la mode - three scoops of ice cream - chocolate,
strawberry, and vanilla. In one sense you’ve fulfilled the
letter of the law. But, as your soon bulging waistline
tells you, you’ve failed at your diet. We often think, “What can I get away with?” Be honest. We don’t always verbalize the
thought.
But, subconsciously we think it. Those Jesus is challenging had focused
on the boundaries of God’s law. They asked, “Who are we actually required to love?” How small can we draw that circle? How few
neighbors can we narrow this down to? The law was intended by God to limit vengeance -
payback - and to promote a response of love towards others. But, God’s people - After they had accomplished what was required
they then felt free to mistreat and reject everyone else - rip them off - ignore their needs - alienate them
- take from them whatever they felt entitled to.
Little Jack Horner
A lot of that goes on in religion today. Christians
sitting around - putting in their thumb - pulling out a plumb - telling
ourselves how good we are. We’ve done all the right things so
we feel that we’re off the hook for anything else. But, by God’s
standard of the heart we haven’t even come close to good. Jesus is
talking about our hearts. The second thing we need to be clear about is
Jesus’ application of this law to where we live life. Verse 45: “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for
those who persecute you.” That’s a reversal of thinking isn’t it? The word “love” in Greek is “agape.” Same word as
in Romans 5:8:
“But God demonstrates His own love - agape - toward us, in that while we were yet
sinners - enemies of God - Christ died for us.” “Agape” is the kind of love that moves God to send
down sunlight on both the evil and the good. To send rain
down on the righteous and the unrighteous. God indiscriminately taking care of all
our needs - both those who are in rebellion against Him and those who love
Him. “Agape” love isn’t about lust or sex or friendship or
romance or if we might be feeling good about someone or what we get back
when we love someone. “Agape” is a dogged commitment to love what often is
unlovable - us.
With that kind of love we’re to love others - even those who are
against us - who humiliate us - sue us frivolously - compel us against our
will - borrow stuff from us and never have the respect for us to return
it. To “pray” is the Greek word “proseuchomai.” Same word as
in James 5.
“If you’re sick - call the elders of the church - let
them pray - “proseuchomai” - over you and anoint you with oil in the name of the
Lord.” “Prosuechomai” is always used of prayer
to God - petition for great need. When we pray for our enemies - its not, “God toast ’em.” But, “God bless them. God help them. God forgive
them because they have no clue what they’re doing.” Jesus says - in verse 45 - when you do this - loving
and praying for your enemies - you really are God’s children. You really
are living out your relationship with God in the way you’re living with
others. Do people see on our hearts the imprint of God’s
heart?
Do they see in us the love that God has for those created in His
image? Verse 46 - two examples: For if you love those who love you, what reward do
you have?
First example: Do not even the tax collectors do the same? Second example: If you greet only your brothers, what
more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the
same? Tax collectors were the scum of the earth. Traitors in
league with the Roman occupiers who are ripping off their own people. They’re
legalized crooks. They’re unclean because they associate
with Gentiles.
They associate with prostitutes and other people who could care
less what others think about their sinful ways. But even a tax collector is going to love someone who
loves them - someone who’ll help them line their pockets with money. At the
very least their mother might even love them. Gentiles were pagans. Non-Jews. Unclean. Worshippers
of other gods.
Not to be associated with. But still, even the Gentiles show love
to other Gentiles. Do you see what Jesus is getting at here? If we only
treat well those people who can benefit us or who are like us, what
difference is there between us and everyone else? The
issue is not how we would like to be treated but a heart attitude which
places the well-being of others - at least as a minimum standard - places
their well being at least equal to ours. Verse 48 - Jesus’ summary statement - verse 48: Therefore - because we’re to love others as God loves us -
Therefore, you are to be perfect, as your heavenly
Father is perfect. Philippians 2:5-8: Have this
attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed
in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be
grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being
made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He
humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on
a cross. Jesus is God. But Jesus did not “grasp” - or hang on to - His rights and privileges as God -
to be worshipped as God - to exercise His power as God. Jesus set all that aside. He didn’t insist on His preeminence. He became a
man - without any advantage over us. He faced life counting on His Heavenly
Father, just as we do. Jesus became a servant - literally “a slave.” Slaves were
the possessions of their masters. In the Roman world they were looked on
with the same regard as a shovel or pick - a tool to be used. Jesus should
have been worshipped - adored by people - angels - animals - by all of
creation - yet He willingly became a slave. Having become a man - Jesus did not come as a king -
a ruler or rich person - someone insulated from the worst parts of our
human condition. He became the son of a common family -
in a conquered nation - born in the humility and filth of a cave used as a
stable.
He came and embraced us a brothers and sisters - going through what
we go through. Jesus didn’t have to die. He isn’t born
- as we are - with the terminal illness of sin. Jesus loved
us so much that He volunteered - chose - to receive the death sentence
that is really ours. Jesus could have chosen to die quickly - painlessly -
surrounded by His family and friends. But, He chose to die on a cross - in
pain and agony - rejected and despised - executed as common criminal - in
shame and disgrace. Deserted by everyone - including His
Heavenly Father - He died finally - because He was unable to breathe. Love risks. It costs. It requires everything that we are given up - yielded
- for those who do not deserve our love. Jesus is the greatest example of that
kind of perfect love. Jesus yielded His rights for us because
of His love “agape” for us. Thinking this through for us today... There may be someone who’s stabbed you in the back -
inflicted tons of pain on you - abused you - lied about you or to
you.
Someone who has destroyed a whole lot of your life. Someone
you’ve trusted who’s betrayed that trust - crushed you emotionally. Family is not
a pleasant warm fuzzy feeling. Where you work could be hell on
earth.
People at school may shred you daily. For some
reason you’re their target. You’ve been ridiculed and laughed
at. You
could name their names without giving it second thought. How are we suppose to love these people and pray for
them following the standard that Jesus sets for us? Two thoughts of application. First: It takes heart. Say that with me, “It takes heart.” Remember when Jesus accepted a dinner invitation to
the home of a Pharisee? When Jesus shows up the Pharisee
doesn’t extend - what in that culture was an expectation - the Pharisee
didn’t extend the usual courtesies to Jesus - giving him a cup of water -
giving him a welcoming kiss on both cheeks. He’s rude - inhospitable - unloving -
towards Jesus. A prostitute comes in with an expensive vial of
perfume - and from behind Jesus - weeping and getting her tears all over
Jesus’ feet - she’s kissing his feet and anointing them with this
perfume.
Do you remember this? The Pharisee is indignant. “If Jesus was really a prophet He’d know what kind of
women this is.
He never would have allowed her to touch Him.” Jesus says to the Pharisee, “This woman has wet My feet with her tears. You didn’t
even give Me water. You gave Me no kiss. But she
hasn’t stopped kissing Me. You didn’t anoint My head. She’s
anointed My feet with perfume. She has a ton of sins. But they’re
all forgiven.”
Then this statement - powerful: “He who is forgiven little, loves little.” (Luke 7:36-50) Jesus isn’t calling us to be blind, denture wearing,
red cheeked, naked, luggage toting paupers. He’s compelling us to look at our
hearts - to remember how greatly we’ve been forgiven - how immeasurably
we’ve been loved. To find in that realization the
possibility of loving others. Steve Zeisler put it this way: “The one who recognizes little need of forgiveness
loves little; and the converse is also true - the one who has been
forgiven much loves much.” (1) If we’re going to be sons of our Heavenly Father - at
the heart level - loving others - we need to begin with the understanding
that we also do not deserve His love. Second thought of application: It
takes openness. Say that with me, “It takes openness.” We can carry on living by putting ourselves first -
limiting God’s love through us. Or, we can admit our inadequacy and ask
Him to change us. Thinking about how Jesus loves us - in our rebellion
and sin - we need to acknowledge the source of love is God - who loves
us. We
need God to enable us - to work within our hearts to make this
possible.
I’m going to challenge you to do something this week
- all of us - myself included. At least once this week extend God’s
love to someone who you could never reasonably expect to pay you back - or
even perceive that you we’re showing love to them and so to be tempted to
try to do something for you in return. Not someone in your usual circle of
friends.
Maybe even someone that you might consider an enemy - someone you
struggle with. And if you find that hard - especially the showing
love to an enemy part - that’s when you need to go to God in prayer. “God I open my heart to You. Change my
heart.
Make me to be one who will love my enemies as You have loved
me.”
_______________ 1. Steve
Zeisler, “Your Father Will Reward You” - sermon on Matthew 5:43-48 |