Love Like Jesus (2)
Notes
Transcript
Introduction:
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’
39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.
41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
1. Be willing to suffer like Jesus for the sake of the gospel (vv. 38-39)
1. Be willing to suffer like Jesus for the sake of the gospel (vv. 38-39)
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’
39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Jesus quotes from the Law in Leviticus 24:17-22
17 “Whoever takes a human life shall surely be put to death.
18 Whoever takes an animal’s life shall make it good, life for life.
19 If anyone injures his neighbor, as he has done it shall be done to him,
20 fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; whatever injury he has given a person shall be given to him.
21 Whoever kills an animal shall make it good, and whoever kills a person shall be put to death.
22 You shall have the same rule for the sojourner and for the native, for I am the Lord your God.”
Purpose of the Law
The Law was given to keep people from going beyond what was justified.
You have probably heard of Hammurabi’s Code. Even this code by a pagan nation was an attempt to curb crime by having harsh punishments.
Slap in the Face
The slap was a left-handed slap and was an insult. What Jesus is saying is be willing to suffer for the sake of the gospel and be insulted.
Jesus as Our Model
Jesus is the ultimate model for us of how to act when we are faced with opposition, insults, and persecution.
23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
2. Be willing to give more than is asked (vv. 40-41)
2. Be willing to give more than is asked (vv. 40-41)
40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.
41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
Suing for the Tunic
Legally the Law allowed for someone to take a person’s tunic for a debt in a legal suit. However, the Law did not allow for the taking of a person’s outer cloak. This cloak was used by the poor as a blanket.
Laws of Compulsion
Roman soldiers would often compel people to carry there equipment or other things they didn’t want to carry themselves for up to a mile. You may recall a famous example of this with Simon of Cyrene.
32 As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross.
Simon was forced to carry Jesus’ cross. Not to mention that fact that Jesus was already carrying someone else’s cross. You could say that he carried our cross farther than any mile you and I could ever be asked to carry it.
3. Be generous to those who have need (v. 42)
3. Be generous to those who have need (v. 42)
42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
Throughout the centuries, it has been the Church that has been the caregivers of the world. People like you have given in order that mission work and evangelism can happen. The generosity of the saints had led to people with real needs having them met by the Lord through His people.
This is a characteristic of the righteous. In Psalm 37:21 we read,
21 The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives;
Conclusion