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Summer on the Mount - Loving Hard People: Matthew 5:38-48

Summer on the Mount - Loving Hard People: Matthew 5:38-48

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 Loving Hard People- Matthew 5:38-48Conflict has been a part of the world since the sin was introduced to the world in Genesis 3. There has always been conflict between man and man, God and man, and the nations of the world. In Matthew 5:38-48, Jesus shows us a radical way to love difficult people.
In the times of the Old Testament, there was a saying, "eye for an eye, and tooth for a tooth." When a law was broken by a nation against another nation, the punishment should level out. There should not be more retaliation than was given. But the religious leaders, over time, added more rules to the laws, which made it almost impossible to follow.
Jesus moved this from nations to neighbors and said, "Do not resist (retaliate) an evil person." Instead, do good back! He then gave four examples:
  • Example 1 - If someone slaps you - in the day, a backhanded slap to the cheek was a strong and powerful insult. Jesus is saying to "turn to them the other as well". In other words, be vulnerable to be insulted again. (He is NOT saying to stay in an abusive relationship - get out asap.)
  • Example 2 - If someone sues you - The average person had 2 shirts and 1 coat. Someone could sue you and "take the shirt off your back". Jesus tells us to not only resist suing back, but up our most valuable clothing - our coat. In Christ, we can "absorb the blow".
  • Example 3 - If someone asks you to go 1 mile - It was lawful for a Roman soldier to require a person to carry their gear (70 lbs) up to a mile, and the people hated the soldiers for this. Jesus is saying to volunteer to go 2 miles! In other words, "Go the extra mile".
  • Example 4 - Give to whoever asks - Give generously and don't question someone who asks to borrow. Let them borrow without obligation to return.
In our lives, we have done far more to God than others have done to us. We need to remember that God has not treated us our our sins deserved! Why do we think we can treat others more harshly than God treated us? Verse 48 is the key, "Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."Remember:
  • We have sinned - He gave His Son
  • We turn away again and again - He is patient with us
  • We take His name in vain - He is kind to us
  • We have served idols - He loves and welcomes us
"You have heard it said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy, but I tell you love your enemies and pray for those that persecute you'". Hating your enemy was never in the OT. It was added over time and became a mantra for the people. Jesus gave us 2 ways to love our enemy:
  1. Love your enemies - Do loving things for that person. We see a great example of this in Romans 12:14-20 (work at it, revenge is God's responsibility, do what is honorable in public, etc.)
  2. Pray for those that persecute you. We should pray beneficial things for those that are against us. It will change our heart towards them.
A Path Forward
  1. Keep your heart (Proverbs 4:23) - Keep keeping your heart
  2. Guard your words (James 1:19-20) - Slow it down
  3. Trust your Shepherd (Psalm 23:1) - I am satisfied with God's management of my life
  4. God is at work (Galatians 4:19) - He is always at work, and uses frustrating people to disciple me.

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