RADICAL LOVE
Third in Series: “Love In Action”
Rev. Todd G. Leupold Perth Bible Church July 13, 2008 AM
INTRODUCTION:
As we continue to talk about “Love In Action,” it is important that we understand the tremendous differences between living love in motion, and going through the motions.
For a picture of what I mean, imagine of a service-oriented business such as Fed Ex were to operate the way some Christians and churches do . . .
VIDEO: “Fedless” (BluefishTv) – 34.8 secs
Governments can get (and often do) get away that kind of attitude and commitment to “the least necessary” reflected by statements such as:
“what can we get by with?”
“shouldn’t that be somebody else’s job?”
“they don’t pay me enough to do that” or
“I’ve put in my 20 yrs., let someone else do it now.”
It doesn’t matter how many people we are technically ’serving.’ It matters immensely, however, HOW and with what attitude we are serving them!
Remember, last week we addressed the importance of seeing others and the world around us as Jesus does – from the perspective of the cross. This morning, we will further examine how that perspective is to translate into practical living.
Hebrews 12:1-2
1 Peter 2:21-25
Jesus has set for us both an example and a standard for how we are to lived, how we are to love, and what price we should be willing to pay.
The question is: how will WE choose to respond to His example and standard of Radical Love for others?
PRAYER
MATTHEW 5:38-48
- Jesus here gives us an ideal prescription for what radical love requires and looks like.
RADICAL LOVE IS:
I.) STRONG BUT GENTLE AND FULL OF GRACE WHEN DISRESPECTED
vv. 38-39
First of all, please understand that the law concerning “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” was given by God as a principal of justice to be legally applied by the societies justices (not individuals) and as a check against the contrasting tendencies to pass sentences that greatly
exceeding the nature of the crime itself.
Therefore, the context here is NOT revenge or retaliation but righteous justice.
This idea is further reinforced in verse 39 with the phrase “don’t resist an evildoer.” That is, don’t “set yourself against,” or “retaliate.” The idea of “you get me, I’ll get you in kind” is neither biblical nor the example of Christ. Just sinful man . . .
Illustration:
One summer evening, a weary truck driver pulled his rig into an all-night truck stop. He was tired and hungry. The waitress had just finally served him his dinner, when three three rough-neck, no-good motorcyclists decided to give him a hard time. Not only did they verbally abuse him, but consumed his dinner before him. One grabbed his hamburger, the other a big, greasy handful of fries, and the third his cup of coffee.
So, how did this trucker respond? Well, not the way you might assume. He calmly rose, picked up his check, walked to the front cashier, laid down his check and money and then went out the door. After picking up the money, the waitress stood and watched as he drove out into the night.
When she returned, growled to her, “Well, he’s not much of a man, is he?” She replied, “I don’t know about that, but he sure isn’t much of a truck driver. He just ran over 3 motorcycles on his way out of the parking lot.”
(adapted from Jeffery Anselmi, www.sermoncentral.com)
Second, we must understand that the concept of slapping someone on the cheek in this context is NOT, as often assumed, about physical violence or harm. To slap someone on the cheek in this time and culture was to backhand them across the face not to physically injure, but as a public sign of great disrespect.
The real principle here, then, that Jesus is addressing is how a child of God should respond to a blatant act of disrespect.
His answer: “turn the other to him also.” In other words, to over-react or even to react in kind NOT the way of God’s Kingdom. ’Tit-for-tat’ may be just, but it is neither best nor what our Heavenly Father expects from His children.
But why turn the other cheek also? Isn’t that just being a wimp, accepting an injustice, a vain seeking after martyrdom or even just plain STUPID? Does God expect us to just be the world’s spittoon and enjoy it?
NO! In fact, He is telling us to stand against such disrespect with great strength, wisdom and effectiveness! You see, as Jesus proved for all eternity on the cross, radical love defeats blatant disrespect every time!!!
It is communicating to your assailant: “You may grievously disrespect me, but you cannot hurt him for I know whose judgment really counts and where I stand.” “I don’t need to retaliate because I have confidence that the justice and vengeance of the LORD of Hosts will ’do the job’ far greater than I ever could.” “You can bruise my body, but never my spirit.” “You disrespect me with selfishness, vanity, jealousness and/or hatred in your heart that you cannot contain – but from a greater strength that can be found only in Christ, I choose to exercise gentleness and race.” “Recognizing the true condition of your heart that enslaves you to such action, my heart breaks with compassion and a desire for you to be free.”
II.) GENEROUS TO THOSE WHO HAVE A CLAIM AGAINST YOU v.40
To understand this principle, we must first understand the Jewish wardrobe in the 1st Century. The typical commoner’s entire wardrobe consisted of several tunics (or undergarments) and only one cloak (outer garment). The tunics were made of a soft, comfortable, breathable material that was not too expensive. The cloak, however, was made of a heavy, rugged material that was much more expensive and important. You see, not only was it an article of clothing but it also served as the individuals coat and even blanket.
Jesus is also again describing for us a legal dispute. The law said that if you owed somebody money that you could not pay, then they could take you to court and petition to judge to require that you give your tunic as collateral until the debt is paid. Often, however, this was done as a simple ’gentleman’s agreement’ rather than go through the hassle of court. However, again to prevent abuse and undue harm even to the debtor, the law stipulated that no matter how much was owed, you could only be forced to hand over your cloak until sunset so you would still have it to keep you warm in the night.
Yet, when describing what should be the attitude and the action of a child of God who is indebted to another, He says that much more is to be expected. Radically more, in fact! If someone is so offended, aggrieved or just plain upset about a debt you owe but cannot immediately repay that they threaten legal action, the child of God should voluntarily and immediately offer to give all if necessary in order to preserve his own integrity and that of His Lord.
You see, as Jesus also proved for all eternity on the cross, the radical love of generosity defeats greed and self-entitlement!!!
III.) GIVING ABOVE & BEYOND THE NECESSARY AND EXPECTED
vv. 41-42
Illustration: Did you hear about the pitiful man whose fiance broke their engagement and shredded his tender heart? He later received a letter of apology and desire for reconciliation. It read:
Dearest Jimmy,
No words could ever express the great unhappiness I’ve felt since breaking our engagement. Please say you’ll take me back. No one could ever take your place in my heart, so please forgive me. I love you, I love you, I love you!
Yours forever, Marie
PS: Congratulations on winning the state lottery!
Anybody can offer love to just about anyone when they know that (1) they won’t really have to do any more than what is necessary or expected, and (2) they’ll ultimately get more than they have to give.
But that’s NOT the radical love of Jesus or His redeemed!
Under the Roman law of occupation, a soldier could at any time ask any non-citizen to carry his pack, his mail, run an errand or guide him and the oppressed non-citizen would have to drop everything and do it. The only restriction was that the soldier could not demand the poor soul to do any of these things for more than a mile.
Not surprisingly, when a Roman soldier would demand this the oppressed Jew would typically go out of his way to make it well understand that he was only doing it because he had no chance and would only do as much as he absolutely had to and not a millimeter more! “I’ll do it, but I’m not happy, I don’t have to do it well, and I won’t go any further than you can make me.”
Jesus, however, teaches that while this may be well and expected of the man enslaved in sin, it is not acceptable for one who has been freed from sin and re-born in the Holy Spirit of God!
Rather, the servant of God should be always at the ready and excited to serve others with a joy, effort and sacrificial spirit that most demonstrates His radical love and brings Him glory.
As the Spirit later inspired Paul to write (1 Cor. 10:31): “Therefore, whether you ear or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory.”
As was the case with Jesus on the cross, radical love always gives above and beyond what is simply necessary or expected!
IV.) UNCONDITIONAL vv. 43-47
These verses essentially summarize the principles of radical love that Jesus has been laying down.
Anyone can go through the motions of love when they know it should or will be returned and/or rewarded. But that is NOT radical love, nor the love of Jesus, nor the love Jesus expects of those whom He has redeemed and empowered with His Spirit.
That would be unconditional love. Acting out genuine love in motion even when there is no expectation of return or reward! That is radical love. That is the love shown on the cross. That is Christian love!
THE RADICAL LOVE DARE:
BE A COMPLETE WITNESS FOR CHRIST! v. 48
The idea of “perfect” here (telios) is one of complete fulfillment.
In other words, Jesus is here saying that every Christian should be unrelenting in their desire and goal of living out the character of God in such a way as is perfectly consistent with God’s unchanging character.
To do this, as the Pharisees and Sadducess found out, is impossible by human effort alone.
Romans 8:3-4
But, for the redeemed child of God in Christ Jesus and filled by His Spirit, it is both possible and expected as we are ever more conformed into His image!
Anyone can love as the world ’loves’ – even at it’s ’best.’ Who today, will commit to live the radical love of Christ – through the power of His Spirit and in every circumstance?
