Kind Responses to Abuse

#BLM, #BlueLivesMatter, #OccupyWallStreet, #MeToo and debate over reparations are all contemporary causes that are responses to abusive attitudes and behaviors.

How do we respond to victimization? Anything that you or I say that even appears to potentially minimize the suffering experienced can be perceived as uncaring, unsympathetic or calloused and dismissed as privileged.

However, today’s text does not originate from an educated, middle-class, white American. These words flow from the mouth of a homeless Jew residing in Roman occupied Palestine; one who was despised and rejected, smitten and afflicted. Isaiah 53:10 describes him as “although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth”. This is the one who challenges us today with our response to mistreatment and injustice.

Do not Resist or Refuse (vv.38-42)

Matthew 5:38–42 (ESV) — “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39But 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. 40And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

Explanation

1. Lex talionis is the ancient law of retaliation that predates the Hebrew 10 commandments. This ancient law that sounds harsh was actually a limit upon they type and extent of retaliation.

· As Jesus does in the 5 other antitheses of “You have heard but I say”, Jesus takes the limitation of retaliation a step further.

· He sets the bar higher by saying we should demonstrate our faith in God’s ability to vindicate by refusing to assert our own rights.

· Under the old covenant God’s people were to pay attention to how they retaliate. Under Jesus’ clarification we are to ask if we should retaliate.

2. The negative commands bookend 3 “if” examples of the principle that stretch our sense of fairness and obedience.

3. From our limited, earthly perspectives we do not know what is contributing to the behaviors of the other person. He may be hurting, she may be desperate. We walk into dangerous territory when we presume to assign intent to another person’s actions.

Video Clip: God’s glasses

4. The call to non-resistance is a call to temporary, but genuine, tolerance (just as God’s common grace falls upon all mankind, but there is coming a day of reckoning).

5. Non-resistance is a call to “a certain kind of sonship patterned after the Father’s character”.[i]

3 examples of non-resistance (vv.39b-41)

1. Insult

· The use of “right cheek” assumes the right-hand assailant would use a backhand to make contact.

· “This is more a matter of honor than of physical injury.”[ii]

a) In a society where honor was way more important than our, court cases were permitted if a person was slapped. And slapped on the right cheek doubled the award!

b) “I’m rubber, you’re glue; whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you.”

2. Injustice

a) If your comfort is threatened, demonstrated faith in God for your protection.

· The cloak was the outer robe (usually a heavier material) which would double as a blanket or protection when sleeping outdoors. Ex 22 and Deut 24 both specify that a cloak could not be kept past sundown.

· The tunic was a smooth garment worn against the skin and designed for comfort.

· Like a heavy wool overcoat worn outside spun cotton (shirt and jeans in modern culture).

b) Avoid judicial process.

1 Corinthians 6:7 (ESV) — To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?

In 2015, Ann was unjustly terminated on the spot when her boss was having a temper tantrum from a job that she had held for over 7 years. HR professionals and business people encouraged her to seek legal recourse by filing suit with the state Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

I have no doubt that she would have prevailed in a fair hearing, but we prayed over the implications of being labeled a whistle-blower and chose to leave the revenge to God and trust Him to make things right.

From our perspective we can’t say that Ray ever got what we think he deserved, but Ann’s unemployment claim was not challenged, we saw God provide for our needs, and Ann can hold her head high with her integrity intact.

3. Inconvenience

a) Roman law permitted conscription for up to 1 mile of labor (such as when Simon of Cyrene was conscripted to carry Jesus’ cross in Mt 27:32).

b) This could force a person to walk a mile out of his way in service to the government (that the Jews despised) then he may have to walk a mile back to resume his business. Jesus challenges the attitude by saying to replace obligation of 1 mile with an opportunity to serve 2 miles.

4. The 3 “if clauses” of insult, injustice and inconvenience are followed by a positive command to generosity (which we will study more closely next week in the first part of Matthew 6).

Legal and Legitimate Rights are Surrendered

1. The point these examples are making is that in the kingdom of heaven self-interest does not rule, and even our legal rights and legitimate expectations may have to give way to the interests of others.[iii]

2. At the core of this instruction is the principle of vindication. Is it up to us to demand our rights or is there room in our worldview for us to trust in God to settle accounts and make things just?

3. The Example of Jesus:

a. Philippians 2:6 – Jesus did not count equality with God something to be held onto…

b. 1 Peter 2:23 (ESV) — 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.

Transition: Jesus’ challenge does not end with passive, non-resistance. He goes on in the following verses to command active benevolence.

Do Love and Pray as You were Made (vv.43-47)

Matthew 5:43–47 (ESV) — “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?

Explanation

1. The last part of v.43 does not appear in ANY OT text, it was an inference drawn from years of persecution. Just as patriotism for one’s country does not presume ill will toward other countries, love for neighbor does not deduce hatred of non-neighbors.

2. Persecutors (v.44) are one type of enemy, but so are antagonists and contrarians.

3. Rationale for this extreme kindness is rooted in the character of our God (v.45).

4. The positive commands introduce 2 “if” examples to avoid.

5. Later (Luke 10:29) Jesus will be confronted with the question, “who is my neighbor?” motivated by a self-righteous person trying to justify himself.

6. The love demanded in these verses is not merely an emotion or a commitment of behavior. Would you be willing to communicate love in any/all of the 5 love languages to that person whom some would call your enemy?

· Ever since 9/11 most American (both Liberal and Conservative) bear some hostility toward Islamic extremists.

· Affirming words – When was the last time you said something nice to/about a Muslim?

· Acts of service – Have you ever done anything for a Mideasterner that would make him/her think, “Wow, Christians sure are kind”?

· Quality Time – Do you have a desire to enjoy a warm beverage and learn about his or her country of origin?

· Physical Touch – Have you ever shaken the hand of a person wearing a turban or robe?

· Gift-giving – Would you be more or less likely to participate in Operation Christmas Child if you knew your boxes were going to Lebanon, Afghanistan, or property occupied by the Palestinian Liberation Army?

Illustration

1. “Jesus seems to have prayed for his tormentors actually while the iron spikes were being driven through his hands and feet… “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). If the cruel torture of crucifixion could not silence our Lord’s prayer for his enemies, what pain, pride, prejudice or sloth could justify the silencing of ours?” (Stott, Christian Counter-culture p. 119).[iv]

Perfect Love casts out Fear

1. Miso- (Misogyny) and -phobia (Xenophobia) are to be replaced with agape.

2. Rather than portray oneself in pro- terms, it has been common to depict contrarians as anti-.

a. Pro-lifers are referred to by political opponents as “anti-choice”

b. Libertarians are labeled by others as anti-establishment.

3. 1 John 4:18 (ESV) — There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.

Transition: vv.38-42 taught us not to resist or retaliate. Vv.43-47 pleads us to replace hate and suspicion with love and prayer. Finally, v.48 ties together the last 3 sermons.

Your Purpose-driven, Best Life Now (vv.48)

Matthew 5:48 (ESV) — You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Explanation

1. This final exhortation to “be perfect” is not just a conclusion to the last 5 verses, it is a summary to all 6 of the antitheses that were introduced back in v. 20.

2. Jesus calls His followers to live out the purpose for which we were created.

Illustration

· “perfect” in v.48 comes from the root word meaning “end” which focuses on something completing the purpose for which it was made. E.g. a wrench that turns the bolt is the perfect tool for that job.

Application

1. Friday, I had lunch with a pastor from Moundridge who used the phrase “the Jesus way”. I think this is a good challenge for us.

2. In Anger, Lust, Marriage, Honesty, Revenge & Relationships, do we live in a way that reflects the image that we bear?

3. That is the purpose that should drive our lives.

4. That is your best life now.

Conclusion:

Are you living with the end in mind?

Are your decisions shaped by what brings the most comfort and pleasure now, or what brings God the most glory when all is said and done?

I hope you are prepared for eternity. I implore you to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior. I beg you to allow our Father God to transfer your sin to Christ and that you would accept by faith the forgiveness of sin.

For those who have already securely chosen Jesus as your Savior, I invite you to allow His lordship to permeate your attitudes and behaviors by making room for God’s vengeance and surrendering your own rights to His timing.

[i] D. A. Carson, “Matthew,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 8 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1984), 159.

[ii] R. T. France, The Gospel of Matthew, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publication Co., 2007), 220.

[iii] Ibid., 222.

[iv] Carson., 158.