Jesus was the greatest revolutionary of all time. Without lifting a sword He conquered the evil of the world. Having never wrote one word in a book, His teachings are the most read in all the world. And despite being in the very nature of God, He humbled Himself to live as the greatest servant of all. Therefore, His radical teachings concerning Jewish law and Roman practice is just as inspiring to today’s disciples as it was to those who first heard it. Get ready to turn the world right side up with love!

TEXT

Matthew 5:38-48, “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. 

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Parallel Passage: Luke 6:27-36

SERIES TERMS

  1. Sermon on the Mount: The longest single portion of Jesus’ teaching found in Matthew 5-7 that serves as the foundation of Christian morality and spiritual practice. #KingdomBasics 
  2. Disciples: Born again committed students and followers of Jesus Christ.
  3. Kingdom of Heaven/God: The active rule and reign of Jesus in one’s life and upon the earth with kingdom blessings. The kingdom is all about the King!

CULTURE & CONTEXT

  1. JEWISH LEGAL SYSTEM: Jesus corrected a corrupt Jewish legal system that used to work but was no longer valid because the hearts of men were wicked, “eye for eye/tooth for tooth,” “turn the other cheek,” and “take your coat.” His new way was one of non-resistance in regards to the Jewish legal system. However, for clarification there are times that, “if we do not prevent evil will be guilty of allowing evil.” Therefore, “to truly love one’s neighbor sometimes we must resist evil to both protect the innocent victim and not allow the perpetrator to commit more evil and thus bring further judgment upon himself.” Click here for C.S. Lewis’ thoughts against pacifism.
  2. HUMILITY IN A ROMAN STATE: Jesus taught His disciples how to live within a corrupt Roman judicial system, “go with them two miles.” 
  3. DEALING WITH POVERTY: Jesus taught his disciples to give away all that they could because this would show the world their love for hurting humanity; “give to the one who asks.” 
  4. LOVE IS THE NEW STANDARD: Jesus instructed His disciples to choose love over hate and to do good to those who oppose them. Why? Because God is merciful to sinners. Therefore, all disciples are to be perfect in love as the Father is perfect in love, “love your enemies.”

BREAKDOWN

  1. vs. 38-39a: “Eye for Eye/Tooth for Tooth,” In the Old Testament the Jewish religion was in charge of the judicial system and punishment was given in the same degree in which the injury was done, Leviticus 24:19-20. However, Jesus taught the Christian that they shouldn’t go to the Jewish elders and expect them to be fair in giving their judgment so they should just drop the issue and pray for God to handle the situation, Matthew 5:25.
  2. v. 39b: “Turn the Other Check,” Being slapped in the Jewish court was their of shaming people on trial, John 18:22. Christians weren’t to retaliate but rather be humble and take the insult.
  3. v. 40, “Give Your Coat,” Like in the situation of an “eye for an eye” Jesus taught His disciples to humbly except being sued rather then to try to defend themselves in a wicked court system.
  4. v. 41, “Go With Them Two Miles,” In Jesus’ time a Roman soldier could command local people to carry their supplies for one mile so Jesus taught His disciples not to argue but rather be willing to go two miles.
  5. v. 42, “Give to the One Who Asks,” Jesus reinforced the generous principle of giving to the poor that the Jews had neglected, Deuteronomy 15:10-11. Jesus wanted His followers to be known for their radical love for the poor and needy, Acts 4:34-37.
  6. vs. 43-47, “Love Your Enemy,” Jesus taught His Jewish followers that instead of hating the Gentiles or the hypocritical Jewish people (Psalm 139:21) they should truly desire the salvation of all people, John 3:16 & 1 Timothy 2:4.  Therefore, Christians shouldn’t just be nice to people who treat them good, but rather we should love and treat all people the way we want to be treated, Matthew 7:12.
  7. v. 48, “Be Perfect,” The kind of perfection that Jesus is referring to is one of perfect love, 1 John 4:16-21 & Mark 12:29-31. And to truly love God and people is to keep all of God’s commands, John 14:15.

APPLICATION

  1. PRACTICE NON-VIOLENT RESISTANCE: For those who live in places where Islam and Communism oppressively rule the land, Christians can imitate the early Christians in non-violent resistance. Just like how Martin Luther King Jr. chose non-violence to gain civil rights for African Americans in the U.S.
  2. OVERLOOK OFFENSES: Christians living in free countries should try to overlook people’s insults and offenses, Proverbs 19:11.
  3. BE A SERVANT OF ALL: Disciples should strive to always see themselves as servants wherever they go- preferring others above themselves, Mark 9:35. For example, in traffic, on the job, in the family, etc.; we should be known for our humility.
  4. GENEROUSLY HELP OTHERS: Just like in the time of Acts Christians today must be willing to live radical lives of generosity, Acts 2:44-45.
  5. LOVE YOUR ENEMIES: We should truly love and pray good for all people- even those who hate us and mistreat us, Matthew 5:44.
  6. LIVE IN PERFECTION: Because we have been perfectly saved we should never settle for anything less than God’s perfect love manifesting perfect obedience in our lives to His commands, 1 John 3:3-10.

How we love and treat our enemies reveals how much we truly understand God’s love for us, Romans 5:8.