Loving Like Jesus

Today's Gospel Reading is Matthew 5:38-42.
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38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. (ESV)

This is such a common passage to so many of us, that it is hard to think of anything to add to it. How many times have we heard, "Turn the other cheek?" We know we aren't supposed to seek vengeance against others. Case closed. What more needs to be said?

Well, briefly, there are two main things Christ is teaching us here. First, He corrects a misapplication of Old Testament Law. Leviticus 24:17-23 teaches the eye-for-an-eye law. It is basically retributive punishment. If you kill, you will be killed; if you maim, you will be maimed.

The problem was that people were taking the law into their own hands. Instead, if going to the proper authorities, many simply decided to take their opponent's eye themselves! This was a sign of pure, bloodthirsty vengeance. Jesus says to stop this. This is the negative side; don't seek vengeance. Nothing surprising here.

Second, Christ gives a positive command. Instead of seeking vengeance, we should seek what is best for the other person. Don't fight back, give them what they need. Whenever you see the poor, help. Don't walk away. If someone hates you, love them back. Even if your enemy needs help, make sure to go that extra mile so that they lack nothing.

The first part of this is far easier to keep than the second. Although it's hard enough to hold your tongue when someone slanders you or tests your patience, it is even harder to return such maltreatment with love, compassion, and understanding.

When was the last time someone mistreated you? Did it involve lies, gossip, manipulation, backstabbing, or possibly even theft, being taken advantage of, or a full blown assault? How did you respond? Did you take things into your own hands and strike back? Did you just let it slide like water off a duck's back? Or did you look for ways to love, help, and work for the best interests of your attacker?

Jesus is teaching us here that the acceptable action is option number 3. Ouch.

Love your enemies. Love them. Love them deeply and genuinely. Seek their interests, not your own rights.

Why? If for no other reason than this is how Jesus has treated you. You were His enemy at one point in time, and chances are that you act like you still are a lot more than you should. Yet what has God done? Did He seek vengeance? Did He just let it slide? No! "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

While we were enemies of God and haters of Jesus, our Lord did exactly what was best for us, and instead of inflicting vengeance, He gave us eternal life. While we hated Him! That is true, compassionate love. That is what caring for others, even your enemies, looks like. That is what we are called to do and to be. Thank God that this loving Jesus, lives within us. May we truly learn to live and love, just like Him.

Most gracious and loving Father, You have loved us when we hated You. You have done what was best for us when we fought against You. You even sent Your one and only Son to die for our sakes, while we sought to kill Him. For all this, we praise You. Thinking about these things humbles us and convicts us. We do not have this love. In fact, we often don't want it. Yet this is what You command. Fill us with the Spirit of Christ in such a way that we truly look to love and benefit all those around us, even the ones that hate us and sin against us. May we respond to impatience with patience, hatred with love, anger with compassion, and theft with giving. Make us love others like You have loved us. In the name of Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen.