"You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you."
Some questions:
- As you read this what are the first things that come to your mind?
- How is God present in this passage? How does it reflect his character?
- How does God "model" this for us?
- What does this look like in a fallen world of evil?
- Can this be done?
- Do you teach your children this?
- Is Jesus promoting pacifism?
* * *
What else in on your mind this week?
I really am interested in your thoughts, and I would like to encourage others (read-but-don’t-post folks) to jump in this week and let us know what’s on your mind.
20 comments:
A Few More Thoughts about Today:
I came across this passage as I prepared today’s sermon. I keep coming back to it. It is an interesting exchange between Pilate and Jesus about truth and about the thought in our passage for this week (not resisting evil). You may want to read the whole chapter, but here is what I am referring to, John 18:33-38a.
Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" "Is that your own idea," Jesus asked, "or did others talk to you about me?" "Am I a Jew?" Pilate replied. "It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?"
Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place." "You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." "What is truth?" Pilate asked.
Pilate was looking at Truth and did not see it (him)/ get it. Why? Because he had not really seen Jesus in action. Truth is not an abstract idea; it is alive and well in the heart of God, was enfleshed by Jesus, and to be lived out in our lives. Wow! There should be such an interconnectedness between our inner/outer lives, as we rest in God, that our Yes is Yes and our No is No.
I wonder how this connects with our present passage? That will be part of the task this week...
If we return kindness when evil is delivered to us, God wins. When we choose to return the evil word or deed that is handed to us we lower ourselves to same level as the perpetrator if they indeed intended the wrongdoing. As insult is returned for insult the problem escalates and bridges are broken. Jesus is the perfect example of endurance and forgiveness as He forgave his executors on the cross saying Father, forgive them because they do not know what they are doing.' He knew they didn't understand who He was. They followed the crowd, they acted out of ignorance and an unbending nature that would not allow them to accept Him for who He was. If we could remember that maybe there could be a communication problem and they do not understand, that maybe they are set in their ways and cannot bend enough to learn or that maybe they are just following what everyone else does it would help us to bear what has happened. What matters most is the other person's soul and possibly a need for forgivness from God. Turning the other cheek is very hard and our natural reaction is to strike back. The times that I did let God win and not strike back, friendships were saved. I do think there is a time to walk away if the individuals do not respect us as they should for who we are and what we stand for but we are called to be longsuffering. We need to remember that God suffers long with us. We need to do the same for our fellow man. I was actually told once that I needed to 'just stand up for myself and give it back to them' but I think by holding my tongue and bearing it that things turned out for the better. And the witness to the person who was defending me was worth more than the satisfaction of fighting back. It matters not what others think of me, what matters most is what others think of Christ because of me. You may be perceived as weak but God makes us strong and He in His own time works out things for our good and for His glory. His ways are always right. Just hard to do sometimes. Have a great day. Sherron
Thanks Sherron for more of your wonderful wisdom that comes from the heart of God.
This morning I went to the Park for a run with Anthony. As I drove out Highway 60 the sun was coming up. The sky was a beautiful pinkish red (I hope the sailors took warning); very stunning. I actually slowed down to take in the beauty as long as I could. I felt a couple of things: like Praising God, which I did and Peace. It was a wonderful experience that has stayed with me all day long.
I have been studying our passage some today. It, in many ways, is about peace and peacemaking. It is about breaking the vicious cycle of violence.
How was your day? See any cycle-breaking and peace-making?
Last week I finished James Thompson’s Pastoral Ministry According to Paul. It was a good, solid examination of Paul’s ministry. The follow summary statements are interesting to me, even in light of this week’s Sermon on the Mount passage. We are constantly called to be like Jesus. He is not asking us to do anything that he did not do. We participate in his suffering and death, and we will participate in his resurrection. It is only in community that we will find the strength to live this way.
Our reading of the Pauline Letters, with their constant focus on the ethical transformation of communities, leads to a reaffirmation of the definition of ministry offered in the opening chapter: ministry is participation in God’s work of transforming the community of faith unit it is “blameless” at the coming of Christ. This definition assumes a corporate narrative in which the community is unfinished business, standing between its beginning at baptism and its completion at the end. Those who are conformed to the image of the crucified one in selfless devotion to others will be transformed into the image of the risen one. The community that has shared the fate of Jesus, dying to its own self-interests, is empowered by God to do God’s will. Thus Paul’s pastoral ambition, as he states consistently in his letters, is community formation. Although ministry is concerned with the troubled individual, as the contemporary literature on pastoral care makes abundantly clear, the primary focus for Paul’s ministry is the formation of communities that will be his boast at the end (Rom. 15:15-16; 2 Cor. 1:12-14; Phil. 2:16; 1 Thess. 2:19). [p. 150]
This corporate concern challenges the contemporary focus on self-realization and points to a fulfillment of the self only in relationship to others within the community. The true freedom in Christ is not the satisfaction of our own impulses but the reorientation of the self in community with others who share the common narrative. The church is the place where we understand that the goal of human life is understood in light of God’s intention for a new humanity.
The corporate understanding confronts the balkanizing tendencies in the church, by which we divide into separate interest groups. To build a church on the basis of the satisfaction of consumer tastes is to retreat to the self-centeredness of the old aeon. [p. 156-7]
Back to last week for a moment. I came across an article this morning in USA Today that discusses the integrity rating of various professionals. To see the polling data click HERE.
Back to this week. I wonder what the connection is between integrity and the passive resistence that Jesus describes in this week’s text? Could it be that who we are is really proven under pressure (persecution, provocation)? What do you think?
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”
I'm o.k with turning the other cheek and going the extra mile as long as the one I'm doing it for knows why I'm doing it and whom I'm doing it for. I hope that don't sound bad. I want god to get the credit.I just want them to know that it is easier to go the way of the world and give evil for evil but god is causing my additude to be that of peacefulness and understanding and a genuine love and friendship and peace for my fellow man. I don't want them to think christians are weak by giving in but strong for not doing the easy world attitude thing.
I think the previous poster has a powerful point that really gets at the heart of what Jesus is saying. Jesus gives four examples or illustrations of the principle non resistence (or should it be translated non-violent resistence? Some think so.). The behavior in each of these examples is certainly not normal human response/reaction. How can a watching world know that our response is a God-honoring thing and not just some kind of wimpy weakness? Is there some clue in each action Jesus describes? Do see you it/them?
This week I am reading Provocations - Spiritual Writings of Kierkegaard. Here is an excerpt, that once again, I think, ties this week’s and last week’s texts together, if I am understanding him correctly.
Truth is the work of freedom and in such a way that freedom constantly brings forth truth. What I am referring to is very plain and simple, namely, that truth exists for a particular individual only as he produces it in action. If the individual prevents the truth from being for him in that way, we have a phenomenon of demonic. Truth has always had many loud proclaimers, but the question is whether a person will in the deepest sense acknowledge the truth, allow it to permeate his whole being, accept all its consequences, and not have an emergency hiding place for himself and Judas kiss for the consequence. [p. 62]
Jesus was Truth with “skin on.” Are we? If we are, then our words will ring true, and when we are tested by the world, our actions will line up with our words. The way of Truth will win, and according to Jesus that involves a lifestyle that lacks vengeance and retaliation. What are we showing when we live/walk//talk this way?
I have this strange feeling that I am mostly talking to myself this week. (Ha ha) Oh well, I am used to that! How ‘bout we lighten it up a bit?
I went shopping with Luke and Ben last night. We went to two “manly stores”: Orsl.. Orsche... Orske.. The OLD BIG BLUE and Lowes. Got some manly stuff for the men in the family. I am not much of a shopper, but I enjoy hanging in these stores with 2 of my favorite 3 males in the world. I can’t believe how much I love my kids. Gives me some insight into the way God feels about me.
I am really excited about Sunday. We are going to shorten everything a little bit so we will have more time at the end to recognize Wayne as a Shepherd. This will be the most exciting event of the year in my mind.
I read a troubling article this morning (click HERE to read it. It raises a lot of issues in my mind. My first thought was how hard it is going to be to practice our passage for the week in the future. I also thought that Christianity is disappearing in some places because Christians did not embrace the Kingdom ethic found in the Sermon on the Mount.
I hope your day goes well. What’s going on in your life?
Hey,Allen. I just got a chance to read the blog and I laughed becuase you are having an amazing conversation with yourself this week. I am leading a lean event this week and haven't had time to check on this or participate.
It is fun to shop with your kids and do that thing. Darci and I have always had one day the week of Christmas that just the two of us go shopping. We make it a big day and she picks where we go and where we eat. She starts asking about July when are we going to go and such. I hope this is great memory building time for her. My issue is that I don't go to the "manly" stores but end up in Claire's, Bath & Body etc. That gets tough, but I just smile a lot and accept it.
The article you posted is rather interesting as well as concerning. I continue to be amazed by the fact that our legal system has moved to the point of being so scared to offend the minority but in doing so, continue to move to remove the rights of the majority. One thing that struck me funny in the article was the individual who was quoted about trashing any card that did not reference Christmas and it was his "little" way of holding a rebellion. Although a small step, it could have big effects and I admire his action. By stating this idea he may spark many more to do the same and it could have the ripple effect. We often don't think of that and often put our values aside believing we really won't impact change. I have a personal battle against society that I have been waging for some time. I am totally offended by the raising of veal and how the small calves are treated. I refuse to let anyone in my family or dinner party order veal on a menu. Have I saved a lot of cows or changed society? Probably not, but I have not thrown out my values and I hope that by making a stand I have enfluenced some.
That long story to say this. We all need to make a stand and make a statement or those in opposition will and our society will continue to errode away.
Have a good week all.
RR
Sorry you have been mostly by yourself this week Allen. I have had a hard time grasping anything to say or add this week.
It seems like if you do anything other than turn the other cheek to an evil person things end up being worse for you and better for that person. Its almost like you take the opportunity away from God by interfering in His plans with dealing with this person. You get in the way.
Annette
Hi allen sorry its been a dry run for you this week. I've known RR for a long time,since huron HA HA. I apprieciate his opinions and the stand he makes on veal. personally I don't want to know what they do to those little creatures or I may feel the same way. That article about the guy that throws away those christmas cards and stories of other don't offend others with the christmas story things out there make me just plain mad. Heaven forbid we make metion of jesus or the 10 commandments at amy time. I mean just look at them don't steal,lie,murder,adultery etc. we sure don't want these awful traits to be taught or passed on to the youth of today.It is plumb rediculis(sorry if I can't spell) By the way Ryan you might have guessed its me Troy I've been annonomus until now. What someone wrote on last weeks blob(I think it was your bro)he said why not put your name unless you are ashamed so here it is Later.
As a Christian should you pray about "everything"? Where does it stop? I mean it would seem nonsensical to ask about what clothes to wear in the morning.
Good morning! Random, coffee-stimulated responses/thoughts:
Some people REALLY should pray before they go out in public dressed the way they are. (And I am not talking about modesty here.) Ha ha
I'm glad Troy came out of the anonymous closet. Do you think the Huron contingent could take over the BLOB? (Is blob a reference to me and my work?)
I keep waiting for someone to comment on the affect that a man spending too much time in "girly" stores has?? Could it lead to wearing pink? (We discussed this briefly in class last night.) One of my sons likes to wear pink, and he does a lot of manly stuff, so maybe I have to rethink this.
Lester is home for a few weeks now. He is 1/12 of the way through pharmacy school. Hey, it's start.
I finished up my OCU-B work for this semester. I really enjoying teaching over there and feel that God uses me effectively in that context. In the last 3-4 years I have had many students tell me that the Bible classes have helped them connect to God. I try not to let this work interfere with MCOC work (first priority). I believe it actually enhances it. I learn A LOT from my students about what people really think about life, church, God, etc. They are extremely (painfully at times) honest about all of it.
I am getting in a "holiday mood." I like to feel good at this time of the year and do as much I as can to create a nice mood around our home. I am a miniture Clark Griswald.
OK, back to work.
And one more thing about dress. Some did not like my tie on Sunday; thought it clashed with my shirt. Right there is another reason not to wear a tie!
Actually I am going to dress up on Christmas Eve. Wonder if I can borrow a musical tie from Nobe?
Re: veal, I don't eat it, either. But, truth be told, if folks knew the conditions most of our meat/eggs/dairy were produced in, they wouldn't be too happy. Unfortunately, that's the price we pay for an abundant, affordable food supply. (And, let's not have any silly talk of returning to the "Good Old Days"; if we only had small farms and no big, commercial farming operations, you couldn't afford to buy a pound of hamburger!
As far as the other stuff goes, I think multi-culturalism is partly to blame. Used to be, people came to the West to find a better life, and wanted to assimilate to the culture. No more. I have no problem with immigration whatsoever, but when people come here, I want them to become Americans.
Also, I think we have to stop being so wishy-washy about proclaiming the Truth to our culture. The institutional churches are dying out in large part because they no longer believe that the only way to the Father is thru the Son. If you don't have to be a Christian to be saved, why bother?
Pluralism and moral relativism are going to be the end of Western Culture. (Holy smoke! Did I hear the fiendish laughter of Pat Buchanan...?)
Donna
Good job, Donna. I, like you, feel that if you want to come to America you should adopt our language as yours if at all possible. If we went to foreign countries to live I'm sure they would not have two versions of a language when you place a phone call to any business. Immigrants have contributed greatly to our society and our progress and basically, most of our descendants are from other lands. English, Irish, German and French settled in the area where I grew up and our home was built by a German but he did speak English and my cousin married a Scotch lady whose father spoke broken English. All very good people. We have to remember that God loves every person He has put on this earth and He would want us to treat everyone with dignity and respect. I agree that we have become too wishy washy about alot of things and it concerns me greatly. But, off that serious subject--Bill has musical Christmas ties to loan and he is competing with (but will never catch up to) Noble. How blessed we are to be in such a wonderful congregation. I, too love this time of year. Every part of it. Have a great day.
Did you see THIS about Darci Roberts in last night’s paper?
Yay, Darci! Good for you! I love the part about the lipgloss. However, I find her choice of a role model somewhat questionable...:0)
Donna
God's purpose behind this law was an expression of mercy. the law was given to judges and said, in effect, make the punishment fit the crime. It was not a guide for personal revenge. These laws were given to limit vengeance and help the court administer punishment that was neither too strict nor too lenient. Some people, however, were using the phrase to justify their vendettas against others. Pople still try to excuse their acts of revenge by saying, I was just doing to him what he did to me. When we are wronged, often our first reaction is to get even. Instead Jesus said we should do god to those who wrong us! Our desire should not be to keep score, but to love and forgive. This is not natural it is supernatural. Only God can give us the strength to love as he does. Instead of planning vengeance, Pray for those who hurt you. Instead of demanding rights, give them up freely! According to Jesus, it is more important to give justice and mercy than to receive it.
On a personal note, does anyone have a current address for Marian Stephens? Tyler wants to send her a card.
Thanks,
Donna
Post a Comment