Monday 1st April
Read Matthew 5:38-42
“‘You have heard that it was said, “Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.” 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. 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.” (NIVUK)
The principle which sits behind Jesus’ many disconcertingly challenging understandings of how to fulfil the law is love. All the examples Jesus gives are expressions of “the selfless love of a person who, when injured, refuses to satisfy himself by taking revenge, but studies instead the highest welfare of the other person and of society, and determines his reactions accordingly. He will certainly never hit back, returning evil for evil, for he has been entirely freed from personal animosity. Instead, he seeks to return good for evil. So he is willing to give to the uttermost – his body, his clothing, his service, his money – in so far as these gifts are required by love. Thus the only limit to the Christian’s generosity will be a limit which love itself may impose.” (John Stott).
There is nothing remotely natural or simple about Jesus’ demands. They invariably result in despondency because they are impossible to meet by our own efforts. The only way at all that these impossibly perfect standards can be met is by being born again, and the extent to which we meet these demands is evidence that we have in fact been born from above, with the law written anew on our hearts, children of God bearing His image and priorities.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a) (NIVUK)
