Friday 21 January, 2022

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 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. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Jesus is continuing to correct misinterpretations of God’s law and character – how do we respond when we are hurt be it physical, emotional or financial?  Jesus is speaking to not just what has been taught to His audience but to our very natures.

I know I have wanted to hurt others physically when they have hurt me physically and hurt emotionally when I have been hurt emotionally – it’s like an automatic response .. there is something very elemental about wanting to get even & retaliate.

Jesus is saying that God’s Kingdom doesn’t operate in that way – it operates in giving and loving – not because we are giving in or becoming ‘door mats’ but from choice. It takes a completely different kind of person not to retaliate, but to give those who want the shirt from our backs. 

Father, I am undone – help me to live the Gospel = loving and giving more consistently in my life .. Holy Spirit I need your help to choose to respond in the opposite spirit – in the Spirit of the Kingdom of God.  Amen.

Written by Suzie Hodgson