Opportunity to Love (Matthew 5:38-48)

What Jesus means to fulfill the law.

Matthew 5:17 ““Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”

Matthew 5:20 “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Jesus took the bar and He raises it.

Jesus is showing us how to move beyond the letter of the law…and begin to take up the spirit of the law.

Eye for Eye (v. 38-39)

Matthew 5:38-39 ““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.”

Jesus is referring to the law of retaliation.

Jesus does not mean a physical attack, but a deep insult.

Romans 12:19 “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.”

Go the Extra Mile (v. 40-42)

Matthew 5:40-42 “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 from the one who wants to borrow from you.”

The First Mile: Was not a request. It was an obligation.

The Extra Mile: No longer an obligation, but an opportunity to love.

Love Your Enemies (v. 43-48)

Matthew 5:43-45 ““You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”

Matthew 5:46-48 “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

It is only through the love that we have received in Jesus that we can begin to love our enemy.

Matthew 5:46-48 “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

The only way we can love our enemies is to first receive love

Do I truly know what God’s love for me means?