2. The
treatment of the “opposition”, 6:27-36.
Twice in this passage the command is given: love your enemies (v27,35). An enemy is anyone who at any time is acting
as an adversary. To love him means to
meet his needs (e.g. a glass of cold water, etc.).
The principles of love from Jesus are to do good (v27b), to
bless (v28a), to pray for (v28b), to turn your other cheek to (v29a) and to
give to him (v29b-30). This is all
encapsulated in what we sometimes call the
golden rule in v31.
Can we simply turn the other cheek to one who hits us? Paul called for this in 1 Cor. 6 with
Christians who sued their brothers in Christ.
Why not rather be wronged he
says. It is calling for no retaliation, leaving revenge in God’s
hands.
The reason for this love is that we should not be like sinners (v32-35) and that we
should be like our Father (v36, merciful).
It is interesting that Jesus uses the term sinners. The Pharisees used
it hypocritically referring to tax collextors and prostitutes but not
themselves. To Jesus, sinners are those
who hate their enemies which perfectly fit the Pharisees. Being nice to those who are nice to you is
ordinary; Jesus’ disciples are to be God-like,
sons of the Most High.
3. The
treatment of your “neighbor”, 6:37-42.
The commands are judge
not, condemn not, forgive and give.
We are not to have a critical spirit and judgmental attitude but, like
Christ, we are to be forgiving of the wrongs done to us by others and to give
to their needs. The reason is that the
standard we use will be used against us.
It is the law of the harvest
not only here but all over Scripture.
Jesus uses a parable to illustrate this. The presumed context is that one is trying to
“help” someone and uses judgment or criticism to do it. But if we ourselves are blind to the same
issue in our own lives how can we help.
It is like the blind leading the blind; the disciple we teach will not
be helped. We need to first deal with
our own sin so we can graciously help others.
4. Two
trees and two foundations, 6:43-49.
Jesus concludes with two powerful illustrations. Jesus teaches that what we are like on the
outside is the direct result of what we are like on the inside. The tree is known by its fruit. How we need to hear this. Hypocrisy was and is not just a problem with
Judaism; every philosophy of life or religion emphasizes lifestyle. Jesus reminds us
that we cannot truly change our lifestyle without an inner transformation. Remember, to enter His kingdom one must be
born again!
With that in mind He then speaks to the issue
of our foundation. Our philosophy of
life or religion will be tested by life’s storms; we all have them. Jesus is calling men to hear Him and to obey
Him. No other teaching and Teacher will
be able to sustain us through life.
Have you been born again through faith in
Christ? Are you building your life on
the word of God?
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