August 30 - Eye For Eye

August 30 - Eye for eye 

 

Michael Grove

630-995-1253

michaelgrove1@icloud.com

 

 

Are you a giving, sacrificially loving person? 

 

Now when we answer this questions most of the time, we tend to think comparatively. 

 

I am more giving than most people my age. 

 

I tend to be more sacrificial than other people in my workplace. 

 

But that’s not quite the measure. 

 

 

I’ve noticed a trend over my years of Christian ministry. The church is always trying to catch up to culture in so many ways. I’ve watched it with digital trends, diversity, humanitarian aid, cultural references, and trends of just about ever single kind. 

 

The problem is, God actually called his people to be so different, that they would be set apart from the rest of culture. 

 

• Listen to Paul’s words to the Christians in Philippians 2:14
• Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without Gault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the world of life. 

 

We weren’t supposed to be trying to fit in with culture and join them, we were made to be so absurdly different, that it would be extremely obvious to everyone around us. 

 

Jesus was talking with his disciples one day, and was setting the tone for what it looked like to lead like he would. He said this to the disciples in Matthew 20:25

 

You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. 

 

This is something Jesus said later in his ministry, but I want you to see what he was leading up to. He was constantly teaching his followers that if they were going to follow him, they were going to have to put others first. Remember, I told you this was the theme of the Sermon on the Mount. Love God - love others. 

 

And the way Jesus loved, was so countercultural, that it looked different to everyone who witnessed his life, teachings, or actions. 

 

 

 

So we get to this next part of the sermon on the mount where Jesus is going to introduce this idea to the people who were following him. Listen to what he says next. Matthew 5:38-42

 

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 anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away rom the one who wants to borrow from you. 

 

Now Jesus is pulling from Old Testament understanding. There was a code that the Israelites understood on how to find justice inside of being wronged. It was all about making things legally right. But it lead to the pursuit of revenge and justified retribution. Jesus is saying that this isn’t the way of his kingdom.  . . but this isn’t new to you. Because we already talked about the beatitudes. And you can’t be merciful and still want revenge. You can’t mourn and want payback for an attitude you’ve also carried before. 

 

But Jesus says that what you’ve always known and seen, don’t do it! 

 

I don’t care what feels right or seems right to you. . What is actually right - is to love people so sacrificially that their life is transformed forever. 

 

He is going to take this to the next level in tomorrow’s conversation, but you need to understand what he is saying here. When other’s hurt you, the way of Christ is to become so sacrificially giving and loving to them, that they will be blown away by your generosity. 

 

I don’t know about you, but I struggle with this one! 

 

I want justice! 

 

I want people to know that they’ve wronged me! 

 

I can’t even let someone cut in front of me on the road. 

 

How am I going to give to someone who is robbing me? 

 

The answer. . . practice! 

 

Find ways and times to practice sacrificial love. Look for times when someone is overly demanding of you, and find ways to serve them. Look for people who are offensively rude or ignorant, and find ways to show them love. Look for the person who would always want the easy way out, and make them look good. 

 

Practice, practice, practice. 

 

I think it’s part of why I brought flowers to the wife of the man who crashed into our only car last week. I wanted to find a way to practice sacrificially serving someone who wronged me. And can I tell you, it is the best feeling in the world to know I can let go of a wrong in order to love someone beyond my own ability. 

 

So who has wronged you? Who has annoyed you or left you hurt? Find a way to love them. 

 

I’m reminded of King Solomon’s words of wisdom in Proverbs 25:21

If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you ill heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you. 

 

Is Solomon talking about literal coals that cause damage? NO! He is talking about figurative coals that cause the person to lose their mind. They can’t help but be confronted with the thought of how differing your actions are with theirs. And in this, they will begin to change their ways. 

 

So think of who you can practice this with, or in what situation you might have the chance to practice this concept. And as you do, I pray you being to understand what you believe, and why you believe it to be true! 

 

Tomorrow we will talk about our enemies. But until then, I love you, and as you learn to sacrificially love those who deserve punishment instead of love, May God Bless you!