This morning we will be looking at Matthew 5: 38-48 as we continue our series called RED: Examining the Teaching of Christ (that are often printed in red letters).
If you do not have a Bible you can find the Scriptures printed on the bulletin insert along with a place to take some notes if you wish.
READ MATTHEW 5:38-48
(ME)
As I worked through these passages this week I have to admit they were pretty hard to swallow. After all, who wants to be nice to people who are cursing you or talking about you or even worse. There is just something in our nature that desires to take revenge on those who mistreat or misrepresent us.
I asked the Lord to examine my heart for any seeds of bitterness or anger that might prevent me from loving people for who they are and how He created them. I do not want to come to the end of my life and realize I spent it defining myself by what I am against or who I do not like. God’s purpose for my life is bigger than that.
(WE)
When we think of those who have hurt us - physically, emotionally, sexually - often our first thought is to find a way to get revenge. For some the revenge comes in the form of self-destructive behavior (cutting, drinking, drugs, alternative lifestyles, etc). Others take revenge by abusing others. Some people use the legal system to exact revenge on others.
There are as many forms of revenge as their people with the imagination to dream about getting the other person back.
(TRANSITION) But what do the Scriptures teach us about revenge? What does Jesus teach us about the treatment of those we perceive as an enemy?
(GOD)
When we consider Matthew 5:38-48 we have to do so in light of Matthew 5:33-37 where Jesus teaches us that we should be people of integrity - honesty - of our word. We let our Yes mean yes and our No mean no.
Unfortunately, sometimes this does not happen. And because we sometimes do not keep our word or our integrity other people get hurt. When other people get hurt - they want revenge - an eye for an eye. That person hurt me so I have to find a way to hurt them back. Obviously some religious leaders were teaching that it was OK to take revenge - to get your just desserts against someone who may have caused you harm.
We also have to read these passage in light of the historical setting of this time. The Romans are in control of Palestine. Jerusalem is being governed by a Roman pagan who does not believe in the One God of Judaism. Roman soldiers are not known for their kindness and generosity toward the people who have been overthrown and whose land has been occupied.
When someone in this audience hears what Jesus says they hear it through the filter of a life lived under the oppression of a foreign occupier. They hear Jesus’ teaching after having been compelled by a Roman soldier has forced them to do something they did not want to do.
Nevertheless, Jesus is attempts to rectify a long history of wrong interpretation of the Scriptures by the religious leaders of His day. Look at Matthew 5:38-39
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’
The Scriptures do tell us in Exodus 21:24 - an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth…
However, one has to read all the surrounding writings about how the eye and the tooth are to be taken. The context of Exodus 21 is about Civil Government. God intended for the civil authorities to be established who would handle issues of punishment for those who broke the Law.
In Jesus’ day the teaching had moved from being one about civil authority to PERSONAL AUTHORITY where people who had been wronged “took matters into their own hands.
39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.
So, Jesus tells those in the audience not to resist an evil person. As a matter of fact Jesus goes on to say - If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.
For most of us this is a hard saying to swallow. Does that mean if someone punches me in the eye I should just give them pointers on how to hit me in the other one?
First off Jesus is using what is called a common expression of the day that described the act of someone hurling insults at another person. (Today we might say - Oooh burn…).
Jesus is not telling us not to defend ourselves against an attack (obviously he is also not suggesting that we attack others). But He is telling us that when people insult we handle that with patience and civility.
Think about the insults against Jesus even before the Cross. He was called a son of the Devil, a drunk, people talked about Him as the illegitimate son of Mary, and some even called Him a madman).
At the Cross even more insults were poured out on Him - but He prayed for those who insulted them and ultimately provided the means through which those very same people could come into relationship with the Father and be redeemed.
Now look at the examples Jesus gives for “turning the other cheek”
40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
WOW WOW WOW!
Have you ever heard the phrase, “That is guy is so nice he would give you the shirt off his back.” Well, guess what - this is where we get that phrase and the idea.
We need to understand that in the Law of Moses NO ONE could take another person’s OUTER COAT (cf. Ex. 22:26; Deut. 24:13).
The outer coat was like a cape. It was made of either heavy wool or leather. It was used as a form or protection and warmth. It could be a poncho or blanket. It was worn on top of a “tunic” or long shirt
In the OT if a man needed to offer collateral for something he would give his COAT. However, Israel was commanded by God to never keep that COAT overnight. It was to be returned and the item for which the collateral was given returned as well.
As a matter of fact God tells them it is an act of righteousness to return a man’s COAT to him before the nightfall (Deut 24:13)
A man’s coat was very, very important to him. It was a form of protection and, if needed, could be used to obtain tools or other things to earn money.
So no one could sue a person for their COAT - ONLY THEIR SHIRT
But Jesus says, if a man sues you for your shirt - go ahead and give him your COAT too.
The point of this passage is not about law suits - it is about being willing to suffer some forms of personal discomfort instead of immediately looking for a way to realitate.
The same point is being made in verse 41 & 42.
Under Roman law a soldier could force someone to carry his backpack for ONE mile. But Jesus says, carry it two miles! Don’t just do what is required but let your light so shine before men...set aside your personal comfort and YOUR RIGHTS for a moment and see the bigger picture - a world in need requires people willing to live sacrificial lives for the glory of Christ’s Kingdom.
IN JESUS’ KINGDOM IT IS MORE IMPORTANT GIVE JUSTICE THAN TO RECEIVE IT.
(TRANSITION) The people hearing this teaching must have considered amazingly radical. If Jesus was the Messiah why would He turn the other cheek and give up His coat? He is supposed to be a military leader who will overthrow Rome and establish God’s Kingdom on earth - but they missed His message. Then Jesus gives an even more radical teaching - LOVE YOUR ENEMIES!!!
READ MATTHEW 5:43-48 AGAIN
Jesus was talking about the command given in Leviticus 19:18 that says, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself, I am the LORD.”
The religious leaders of the day had interpreted this verse to mean that you only had to LOVE YOUR PEOPLE. In other words, you only have to love those people who are just like you or do the same things you do or have the same religion as you. So as long as you were not one of my people I could hate you and call you my enemy.
As such, the people felt no shame in mistreating Romans or hating them. After all, they are mean to us - we should pay them back. But Jesus is telling them that in HIS KINGDOM EVIL IS OVERCOME BY DOING GOOD!
Anyone can be good to someone who is good to them. Even sinners know how to do this. But God has a different standard. God even gives us an example of how He loves even those who do not love Him.
“He [God] causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
If God hated His enemies then the sun would never shine and the rain would never fall! Thank God He doesn’t just give sun and rain to those He loves...how would His enemies know His goodness otherwise?
But how do we “love our enemies” - how does this flesh out in real life.
Instead of taking revenge or holding a grudge, Jesus tells us too…
Bless those who curse us
Do good - even for haters
Pray for those who insult you - call you names - make fun if you - even for those who bring continual insult to you in the form of persecution.
But why do do this? FOlks, in a world that is controlled and dominated by hate and revenge the person who lives by the teachings of Christ will make a huge impact. Just like it did in the days of the Apostles who were persecuted but prayed for and served the persecutor.
Jesus ends this teaching segment by saying, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” - - - WOW what is he telling us?
(YOU)
How can you be perfect? The word “perfect” in the Greek language is “teleios” and it basically speaks to the idea of maturity or completeness.
As sinful human beings we will not reach a place of complete perfection on this side of Heaven. However, that is not an excuse for not growing and becoming a more mature person in Christ. As such, we too follow the teachings of Christ and as we do we grow in our:
Character: the closer we get to Jesus by prayer and obedience the more our character will begin to reflect His values and not our own.
Holiness: the more we follow the teachings of Christ the more we will separate ourselves from the hatred and revengeful nature of this world.
Maturity: that is, the more we follow after the teachings of Christ the more we want to be like Him and let our whole life be an example of His character.
In Love: when we follow the teachings of CHrist we will learn to love those who we once thought we unlovable.
This is not an easy ONE TRIP TO THE ALTAR kind of growth. This kind of growth requires commitment and perseverance. And it also means that at times we are willing to let some things go - even when our nature is to retaliate.
I want to be clear, however. When there is blatant injustice in the world we must act to protect the innocent. We are called, as the Prophet Micah states, “to do justice.”
(US)
I believe the Lord wants us to examine our hearts this morning. Are we planning ways to get back at someone who did us wrong? Are we just waiting for the opportunity to get our revenge on someone? Do we have bitterness in our heart that is leading us to anger and hate? These are questions we need to ask the Lord.
If you are here this morning and you have never given your heart to Jesus Christ. You may be thinking, “Wow, preacher this living for God thing sounds pretty tough.” Well, it can be if we try to do it all alone and in our own power. But no one can love his or her enemies unless God does a supernatural work in their lives. That work begins with repentance (asking God to forgive us) and acceptance of Christ as our savior.
I am not telling you that you will leave here this morning with the ability to love those who hurt and curse you. But you will receive the power of Christ to be able to know His forgiveness for you and that will help you want to forgive others - it will take time.
As we bow our heads and close our eyes I want to ask if there are any here this morning who would want to invite Christ into their lives - just raise your hand.
Invite them to the front
Pray with them (ask others to pray)
Invite all to come and seek God at the altar
