February 2, 2009

Radical thinking. In Matthew 5:38-48 Jesus teaches some radical thoughts to the people living in his time as well as ours. In reading these verses I thought about the crowd there that day, from Moses' time they had lived by an intricate set of laws detailing what was a sin, the proper way to forgiveness and the proper punishment for that sin. Jesus was referring to the law recorded in Exodus and Leviticus that the Jewish nation had lived by for centuries. An eye for an eye in Leviticus chapter 24, in all the law there is the idea that if someone does you wrong the retribution should be equal to what they did to you. And here comes Jesus with another option and a rather radical one.

Is it not human nature to strike back if you are hit? Or respond in kind when you are being insulted? But in these verses Christ is calling us to a higher standard. A life of faith in God to be our protection and Christ to be our example. "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps." (1Peter 2:21)When He was spit upon, beaten, and cursed, he did not return in kind. He prayed for the forgiveness of the ones who persecuted Him. In 1 Peter 1:6-7, we are told that from these trials we face our faith will be built and Christ's character will be revealed in us.

When a fight occurs it takes cooperation of both sides to continue the battle. If one does not return the blows or insults the fight does not ever get started. I think this is what Jesus was trying to get the crowd to understand that day-don't take offence and try to get retribution. For in this world are many who walk in darkness, never seeing or understanding the revelation of Christ and His miraculous workings within us to perfect our thinking to become like Him (1Peter1:15-16). Knowing Christ has provided us a peace that passes understanding in this life and a glorious revelation of Himself in the next-can we not afford to be gracious and show Christ to others by our deeds and actions? "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God." (1Peter 2:12) Amen.