Radical Grace & Mercy: Sharing Jesus’ Generosity

RADICAL GRACE & MERCY: SHARING JESUS’ GENEROSITY: Matthew 5:38-42 – MHAFB, 6 July 20 ------------------------------------------------------------------Series: Sermon on the Mount / Topics: Jesus, Life & Teaching of Jesus Christ, Teachings of Jesus, Sermon on the Mount/Plain, Avenge, Revenge, Gracious, Merciful, A Loving Person, Generosity, Before Worship: Pray with leaders! Openings Verse: Psalm 34:11–22 ------------------------------------------------------------------SLIDE-Transition to Sermon Introduction Attention: 1. What Latin scholars here know the meaning of “Lex Talionis?” a. Also known as the “Law of Retaliation," this legal principle asserts that a crime’s punishment must resemble the crime in kind & degree 2. Does anyone know a famous Old Testament quote that highlights “Lex Talionis?” a. “An eye for an eye, tooth for tooth” b. A concept God highlights in several different ways throughout the Law (see Exodus 21:22-25, Leviticus 24:17–22, & Deuteronomy 19:16–21; a phrase also found in the Code of Hammurabi!) 3. A concept that has been twisted & contorted in many ways both in our days & the days of Jesus a. It is not uncommon today to hear people… i. Quote, “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind” (often attributed to M.K. Ghandi) ii. Or to claim that Jesus countered this law iii. Or even to assert that the law is immoral! b. But as we will see shortly, these ideas miss the point of the law and of Jesus’ teaching 4. Are you interested to learn more? I hope so! a. Because this is the direction we are going today… Big Picture: 1. SLIDE-Title: Today we pick back up in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in a sermon entitled... i. Radical Grace & Mercy: Sharing Jesus’ Generosity a. We’ll be in Matthew 5:38-42, i. A passage with a very close parallel in Luke 6:27-36 (which I encourage you to read later this week) ii. This is also a passage that is very closely related to next week’s sermon on loving your enemy. b. In our verses Jesus’ continues to show what it means to be His disciple i. He isn’t giving governmental laws here— 1. Instead He shows us what “Kingdom living” truly looks like for individuals who follow Him ii. As we work through this, I hope that you see how His call to us is actually a call to emulate Him— 1. He lived up to the standard He drops before you and me today. 2. So, what is this radical call? a. SLIDE-Thesis: Today I hope that you will see how… b. Jesus calls us to be radically gracious & merciful with everyone, even those opposed to us! Passage: 1. Context: If you haven’t yet, I invite you to open your Bibles to Matthew 5:38 as we start to see this… a. In this part of the Sermon on the Mount Jesus is providing six ‘antitheses’ (Mt. 5:21, 27, 31, 33, 38, 43) i. Where Jesus addresses a commonly misunderstood Old Testament Law (“You have heard...”) 1. And then provides His clarification (often with hyperbole to drive home a point) with several illustrating points, (“But I tell you…”) ii. In some ;of these Jesus drastically deepens the requirements of the law (e.g. murder & adultery) 1. In others He clarifies common misuse or misunderstandings (e.g. divorce & retribution) b. Today we see Jesus’s “fifth antithesis," i. I invite you to stand in honor of God’s Word with me as we read it now. 2. Verses-2 Slides: Matthew 5:38-42… Matthew 5:38–42 CSB 38 “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. 39 But I tell you, don’t resist an evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 As for the one who wants to sue you and take away your shirt, let him have your coat as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and don’t turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. Transition: Please be seated & join me in prayer… 1. Heavenly Father, 2. Let these words sink deep into our hearts and minds today. a. You have called us to a ethic and manner of living that is alien to our world. 3. Indeed, you have called us to “be perfect” as You are perfect. a. While we know that we will never reach that perfection until heaven— b. Never let that be an excuse that keeps us from pursuing greater holiness and righteousness. 4. This morning, let Your words sink deep within us. a. Transform us by Your power b. Make us more like Your Son, Jesus Christ 5. For it is in His name that we pray— a. Amen. Main Point 1: A Twisted Concept Explain: 1. To truly grasp this passage, let us start by understanding the original Old Testament quote (see Exodus 21:22-25, Leviticus 24:17–22, & Deuteronomy 19:16–21) 2. As I stated earlier, this concept has been twisted & contorted in many ways throughout history— a. So much so that to many people it even sounds unethical 3. Indeed to many ears it sounds like this Old Testament passage provides permission for us to take personal revenge on others! a. But in contrast to being permission, this passage is actually providing a necessary legal limitation… 4. In Exodus 18:13-26 God established a judicial system to hear cases & determine penalties a. This system was the foundation upon which justice was to be dispensed in Israel b. MP1: The “eye for an eye” law is only to be applied within this legal system c. Each passage where this law appears provides examples to civil authorities (courts, judges, etc.) that highlight how this guiding ethic should be applied. i. They demonstrate equitable penalties for various human rights violation. ii. It was never meant to advocate or permit personal vengeance d. In contrast to that, this law: i. MP1: Limited legal retaliation! ii. MP1: Made justice equitable! iii. MP1: Prohibited excessive harshness or excessive leniency! Illustrate: I hope that you can see the wisdom and value of a law like this! 1. A vandal does not have his hand cut off 2. A thief who stole $100 could not be sentenced to death. a. However, a murderer should not merely be charged $100! 3. One who lies on their taxes is not thrown into prison for life a. They are charged an appropriate fee and can spend up to five years in prison 4. When used correctly, this law helps keep the rich from oppressing the poor and the nationals from oppressing the foreigners with unreasonable consequences. Expand: 1. God entrusted this law to the state for use by legislative and judicial authorities to keep equitable justice. a. Therefore, using it to settle personal grievances outside of that system is to rip the law out of the context it was given! 2. And this is exactly what had been done in the days of Jesus— a. Illustrate: “You hit me! ’An eye for an eye...’ I hit you back!” 3. MP1: Sinful people perverted this law to defend a sinful lifestyle of taking revenge a. They used it for their personal vindictive benefit in every-day relationships 4. This decision leads to chaos & brokenness in relationships and society. a. Therefore, Jesus corrections this contortion of God’s Law. b. And He does so in such a way that it shows the truly radical call He has for those who follow Him. Transition: 1. So, let’s look at that now… Main Point 2: A Radical Call Explain: 1. Jesus sets the new standard with this simple phrase: “Don’t resist an evildoer.” (v39) a. To “Resist” is to ‘actively oppose,’ to ‘fight back against b. An “evildoer” references someone who is morally worthless and wicked! c. It is interesting that Jesus doesn’t say, “Don’t resist a Christian/brother/sister” i. This might be a bit easier for us d. Nope, Jesus takes this concept to the extreme—an evildoer i. An extreme that He lived out in subjecting Himself to the cross! ii. Remember Romans 5:8, “But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 2. MP2: Jesus is teaching that we are to return good to the one who intended evil! a. An idea that is demonstrated with two general principles: i. MP2: Something to always avoid: Don’t retaliate (no revenge) 1. (See Leviticus 19:18; Proverbs 20:22, 24:29; 1 Thessalonians 5:14–15) ii. MP2: Something to do: Be ridiculously gracious & merciful! 1. (See Deuteronomy 15:7–11, Proverbs 3:27–28) 3. Like a good teacher, Jesus then uses hyperbolic language to demonstrate examples of what such Kingdom Living would look like— a. There is an intentional “shock value” intended here to cause us to actually think this through. b. So let’s try that now 4. "If anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also” (v39b) a. First quick note on what this does not say: i. Jesus does not say, If anyone... 1. …cuts of your right hand, let them cut off your left 2. …kill your son, let them kill your daughter ii. Nor does He teach that we are to… 1. Stand by while others or ourselves are being abused 2. Allow injustice to be perpetuated b. As a matter of fact, this Kingdom ethic still… i. Allows us to defend ourselves from serious harm 1. (See: Exodus 22:2-3; 2 Samuel 22:35; Psalm 18:34, 144:1; Nehemiah 4:16-18; Matthew 12:29, 24:43; Luke 11:21, 22:35-38; Acts 16:37, 22:25, 25:8–12; https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/erik-raymond/should-christians-defendthemselves/) ii. And requires that we seek justice and defend the oppressed 1. (The Old Testament Law, Prophets, & Wisdom literature all address this frequently)! c. So, what is Jesus saying? i. A slap on the cheek was a public insult that left physical, emotional, & social pain. 1. Jewish law in the days of Jesus imposed a double-fine for a back-handed slap likely referenced here in contrast to an open-palmed blow to the left cheek! ii. Jesus teaches us to respond mercifully when someone insults us in such a physical, emotional, & social way. 1. We are not to seek vengeance, even if it is allowed by the law! 2. We are not to return insult for insult (Romans 12:17ff; 1 Peter 3:8ff)— a. Even at the expense of receiving another insult from the offender! 3. We are to allow ourselves to be vulnerable to stinging insults— a. A situation that will be inevitable for one who lives an obvious Christian life d. Then Jesus goes on… 5. "As for the one who wants to sue you and take away your shirt, let him have your coat as well.” (v40) a. We now move from stinging insults to lawsuits, even one from an evildoer! b. The “coat” mentioned here was an outer robe essential for warmth by by day (coat) and night (blanket) i. While Jewish law allowed the shirt to be taken by lawsuits, ii. This outer garment was not allowed to be seized due to the life-saving role it played in a rugged climate (especially for the poor; see Exodus 22:26-27 & Deuteronomy 24:12-13). c. When we have a legal opponent, Jesus teaches we are to seek reconciliation— i. Going above & beyond the legal requirement to make amends! (Also consider Matthew 5:25–26 & 1 Corinthians 6:1-7) d. But He’s not done with His illustrations yet, then Jesus shares… 6. “And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two.” (v41) a. This references Jewish interactions with the oppressive Roman authorities of that day— i. The Romans had the much-resented permission to coerce any passing Jew to perform menial tasks like hauling load on backs (see the example of Simon the Cyrenian in Matthew 27:32) b. Jesus directs us to carry an oppressor’s pack beyond expectation and obligation! i. I imagine this would be a great conversation starter with such an oppressor! c. “These three examples all demonstrate how we are not to "repay anyone evil for evil” (Romans 12:17-21) d. Finally, Jesus shares quite generally… 7. “Give to the one who asks you, and don’t turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” (42) a. Here we see that a child of the Kingdom of God— i. Even when the situation is not one of mistreatment or forced conduct or under another form of persecution by an evildoer— b. MP2: Our dealings with all should be defined by this radical grace & mercy i. This was clearly taught throughout the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 15:7–11, Proverbs 3:27–28), although many ignored it! ii. In the parallel passage in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 6:34–35) Jesus expands to share that we ought even to lend to people from whom we expect no return! iii. If you follow this a guiding principle every time you lend to someone— 1. You’ll find your peace in those relationships greatly restored! 2. No longer will you find yourself holding anger against someone who never repaid you! Illustrate: 1. In a world obsessed in establishing & defending individual 'rights'... a. Jesus’ teachings here are quite radical! b. As sons & daughters of God’s Kingdom, we have the responsibility to “return good to those who intended evil to us! 2. And as you can well see— a. Jesus is asking us to do nothing more than what He Himself demonstrated throughout His life & ultimately upon the cross. Expand: 1. No doubt that Jesus’ teachings here are hard to follow! a. But there are several other Scripture teachings that make it much easier— For example, the Bible teaches us to… 1. MP2: Let the government dispense(give) retaliatory justice a. This is clearly seen… i. In the laws God set up for the Old Testament nation of Israel ii. Even seen in the New Testament teaching of Romans 13:1-7. b. God established this institution to maintain justice within society as a whole— i. As needed, use it for that function! ii. But also I encourage you to consider this question: 1. MP2: When can I forgo some of your rights for the good of others & the glory of God 2. This isn’t something we always do, but it is something we should seriously consider… 3. Jesus & the Apostles demonstrate this willingness throughout the Bible— a. It comes as a result of truly embedding the radical calling of Jesus in these verses. iii. And it also comes knowing this next point— 1. A point that is also comforting to recognize when the government fails at it’s responsibility to bring justice … 2. MP2: We can trust God for revenge a. As God declares in Deuteronomy 32:35-36, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay… The Lord will indeed vindicate his people” i. (See 1 Samuel 24:12; 2 Samuel 22:48; Psalm 94:1; Jeremiah 11:20; 51:36; Nahum 1:2; Romans 12:19; 1 Thessalonians 4:6; Hebrews 10:30 ) b. God truly knows the hearts, intentions, & backgrounds of those people that do us wrong. c. MP2: He has the best knowledge & power to dispense this i. Sometimes we may want to take revenge on someone due to what they did to us, not realizing many contributing factors 1. (Examples: Maybe there mother just died? Did they have a sleepless night? Did they even realize what they did?) 2. If they really deserve revenge—God knows it. ii. Also, the revenge we take may not have a good outcome… 1. We honestly don’t know the best way to take revenge for punitive or restorative ends, and even if we did know, we don’t have the best power to make it happen! ! 2. God, on the other hand, has that knowledge & He has the unlimited power to make it happen Transition: 1. Now, let’s roll this back again to Jesus’ point… Conclusion: Conclusion Reiterate: Jesus calls us to be radically gracious & merciful with everyone, even those opposed to us! 1. Let us not let this calling fall from our sight. a. It is a natural consequence of truly loving others as God has loved us 2. Our dealings with everyone should be defined by a. Never taking revenge, but instead… b. Always having ridiculous grace & mercy. 3. So, let’s consider what this may look like for us… Apply: So, how should we respond? I suggest four points for your prayerful consideration, there are many more (see notes Digging Deeper) 1. Con: Trust in God when you are mistreated: a. Trust Him… i. To care for you and provide you what you need to get through the hardship ii. To reward you for doing good while expecting nothing in return (Luke 6:35) iii. To take revenge, if it is needed. b. We have a natural sinful desire to take revenge— i. But being a part of God’s Kingdom, we recognize that God says this is not our job. ii. If it needs to be taken, He will do it in His timing & His way. c. Do you trust Him for this? i. Read through the scriptures Old & New Testaments and you will find such a trustworthy God d. Are you humble enough to let Him do this? e. Will you let Him transform your heart w/His love so that your very view of revenge changes? i. This actually brings us to the next application point… 2. Con: Grow in love for all others (see Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:39-40; Mark 12:31-33; Luke 10:27-37; Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:14-15) a. Family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, strangers, enemies—everyone! b. Remember, your goal is to have the same love for them that God has for them—that God has for you. c. If you grow in such love, you will find yourself… i. Quicker to forgive ii. Filled with joy when you have the opportunity to be ridiculous grace & mercy d. If this love is yours & increasing, 3. Con: Display unexpected generosity a. Sometimes this is seen in simple, unsolicited acts of kindness and charity i. Sometimes this is seen when an evildoer is oppressing you & you respond with love ii. Ultimately I am talking about the radical grace and mercy that Jesus taught us here demonstrated on the cross. b. Christian kindness far transcends what popular culture demands and expects i. If you can learn to live out the radical grace & mercy that Jesus is teaching us here, 1. You will get attention & magnify Christ in some very powerful ways! c. Be willing to wisely sacrifice your own rights for the good of others. i. Don’t always insist in getting your way ii. Consider the needs of others, especially their spiritual needs iii. Sacrificially make yourself available to meet these. iv. Do more than what is expected of you! d. What would this look like… i. At work? at school? at the house? ii. With siblings? with parents? with friends? with bullies? 4. Con: Seek peace with those who oppress you. (Matthew 5:9; Romans 12:17-18; Hebrews 12:14) a. This is the opposite of seeking revenge! b. Pursue peace between them and you c. And target your response to them to help them find peace with God. d. As Jesus earlier said in Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” i. Or as Paul says in Romans 12:17-18, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil... If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” ii. And as Hebrews 12:14 shares, “Pursue peace with everyone...” e. Think of someone with whom you are not at peace. i. Maybe it has been years since you even spoke to that person. ii. What would it look like to... 1. ‘Turn the other cheek’ and ‘go the extra mile’ with them? 2. To show them radical grace & mercy? f. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” Appeal: 1. And may we each so be blessed. a. As we understand our great Go... i. the confident living hope we have through Jesus… ii. the fact that He will work all things for the good of those who love Him... b. May we walk in faithful, sacrificial, & joyful obedience to His high calling to us this morning. 2. To close, I offer this quote (Source: Hagner, D. A. (1993). Matthew 1–13 (Vol. 33A, p. 132). Dallas: Word, Incorporated.) a. “It is the unworthy who have experienced the good things of the kingdom; i. and as they have experienced the surprise of unexpected grace, ii. so they act in a similar manner toward the undeserving among them (cf. Luke 6:34– 35). b. Jesus himself provides the supreme example of the fulfillment of this ethic, i. and the disciples are called to follow in his path. c. Kingdom ethics demands not mechanical compliance to rules i. but a lifestyle governed by the free grace of God.” Conclude: 1. Will you join me in pursuit of this? I pray that you will! 2. Pray with me...