Today s Reading Matthew 5:38-48 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 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 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.
Information.. or Transformation?
Some odd stuff in the Bible! An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth Exodus 21:24 If someone slaps you on your right cheek. Turn your other cheek to them Matthew 5:39
To understand. we must enter their world
1. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn your other cheek to them also. 2. If someone takes you to court to get your shirt, let them have your coat also. 3. If someone forces you to go one mile, go two miles with them. Matthew 5:39-41
1. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn your other cheek to them also Society tells us there are only 2 responses: Fight or Flight But Jesus shows us a 3 rd way
1. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn your other cheek to them also Alagamar, Brazil
2. If someone takes you to court to get your shirt, let them have your coat also. The way of militant non-violence
2. If someone takes you to court to get your shirt, let them have your coat also. The townships, South Africa
3. If someone forces you to go one mile, go two miles with them. For people to see what they are doing is wrong they have to become uncomfortable with it first!
Don t fight in the same way that people fight you To find this 3rd way: Look for the creative, non-violent response Force the person opposing you to take a decision for which they are not prepared Expose the injustice of the situation AND we are told to pray for those who would offend us Jesus shows us the 3 rd way It is subversive It takes the moral high ground
Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good
Conclusion
This 3 rd way is not just about winning Look for the creative, non-violent response Force the person opposing you to take a decision for which they are not prepared Expose the injustice of the situation AND we are told to pray for those who would offend us Forgiving and praying for our enemies / offenders / criminals and people we JUST DON T LIKE is a mark of Christ
Today s Reading Matthew 5:38-48 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 Information 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 or heard Transformation? 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 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.
Make it REAL! We are not Jesus - we find it tough eg Someone keeps on hurting me My child is being bullied.. And:. live - and pray - generously no more tit-for-tat stuff. as did Jesus
An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. A hand for a hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise Exodus 21, 24-25 Why would God EVER say something like this?