Replacing the Law of Retaliation with the Law of Christ in personal life
Matthew 5:39 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.
Most people are right-handed. How can a right-handed person slap the right cheek of another person? It is possible by slapping with the back of the right hand. Slapping with the back of the right hand is twice more insulting than slapping with the flat of the right hand. Also slapping with the back of the right hand can’t severely injure a person physically. So it is clearly different from brutal attack that can injure the person who receives it.
So, this verse is clearly about how to respond to the personal “insult”. “insult” is felt when you are treated too lightly as a nothing. Sometimes people insult those who believe in Jesus simply because of their belief.
Based on the Law (“an eye to an eye and a tooth for a tooth”, Exodus 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21), a slap also could be sued legally for compensation. Note individuals were not permitted to use this law to settle disputes with others. Only the courts were permitted to do so. People misunderstood and misused this law even against personal insult by insulting back.
The response taught by Jesus is “turning to them the other cheek also”. This is the revolutionary way to respond to the insult. This is how God wants us to handle personal insult. The Law of Retaliation should be practiced not by individuals but by courts.
It is not easy to put down our pride and give up our rights. But this response will show them we have love greater than their hatred and insult – the love that can take further insult on the other cheek, because we are eager to save them.
Also, you are blessed when you have to do this for the sake of Christ (Matthew 5:11, 12).
Reference:
Hughes, R. K. (2001). The sermon on the mount: the message of the kingdom. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
The Beautitudes
Matthew 5:4
Matthew chapter 5, 6, and 7 are called “The Sermon on the Mount”.
Matthew 5:1-11 is in the opening part of it, called “The Beatitudes”. Beatitude comes from the Latin “beatitude” meaning “blessedness”. The beatitudes are 8 blessings as written in Matthew 5:1-11. Here, let us discuss the 2nd blessing today.
See v4.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
This verse is a paradox, which draws attention of the readers.
This verse does not mean that Christians should be melancholy and gloomy.
Also, this verse does not mean Christians should not be joyful. Instead the Bible teaches us to “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4). Note that the 1st miracle Jesus performed was at wedding banquet, turning water into wine. This shows characteristics of Christianity – joyful!
But Christians should mourn and have “broken hearts” by recognizing both their own sinful status and the sins of the world.
If you mourn over your sins, you are blessed because you will be forgiven, filled with Holy Spirit and be saved.
To help you to mourn, I suggest a following verse to meditate.
2 Corinthians 5:21
21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Here, ‘him’ is ‘Jesus’. Based on God’s justice, a sinner should die and receive eternal judgement after the death. For us to be forgiven (To save us), Jesus received the fury of God’s wrath on the cross on behalf of us. This satisfied God’s justice against our sins. As Jesus took our guilt, we who believe the good news are clothed with the righteousness of Jesus.
Jesus drank your bitter cup, and He gave you His sweet cup. Do not refuse the grace of Him who took & drank your bitter cup. Instead, take & drink His sweet cup He gives you.
Feel the love of Him, who died on the cross in your place… to save you.
And mourn over your sins that made Him suffer on the cross.
Yes, your sinfulness made Him suffer.
But His love toward you is so great, so, He took the shameful & painful cross for you.
He died for you not because you are righteous but even though you are sinful.
This is God’s love and forgiveness. This is our basis of love and forgiveness toward others.
With God’s love you received, you also should love and forgive others not because they are nice or perfect but even though they are unfriendly or imperfect.
Good mourning!
Highest priority in the life
Jesus who appears in John 4 was weary (John 4:6), thirsty (John 4:7) and hungry (John 4:8).
He became like us to become a merciful and faithful high priest (Hebrews 2:16-18) and to sympathize our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15-16).
In Matthew 4, Jesus was hungry after fasting for 40 days and 40 nights (Matthew 4:2). And the devil tempted Him to tell stones to become bread (Matthew 4:3). This was the 1st temptation among 3 temptations recorded in Matthew 4. Even though He was hungry, the fasting made Him ready for the tests. But the devil tempted Him to affect His readiness (preparation) for the tests including remaining 2 other tests.
Will the devil tempt us against our preparation or readiness? ‘Yes’ especially if you are (will be) a God’s kingdom builder.
Jesus said in John 4:34.
34 “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.
Jesus taught in Matthew 6.
… do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink;… (Matthew 6:6). 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33).
This teaches us the priority, which was shown in the life of Jesus.
The Parable of the Shrewd Manager
Luke 16:1 – 9
The topic of today’s message is The Parable of the Shrewd Manager.
“shrewd” means having or showing sharp powers of judgement; having an ability to assess situations or people accurately.
What this parable teaches us is written in Luke 16:8 – 9. That is, it teaches us to be ‘shrewd’.
‘Be shrewd’ so that you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
The manager in the parable acted shrewdly in the moment just before losing his current job. This moment represents our life. Our life is short and in need of preparing for the spiritual reality after the death. This parable teaches us to be as shrewd as the manager. You don’t have much time to think twice. You need to act now.
Use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves (9a).
God is Light
“In him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have
fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie
and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light,
as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one
another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, puri fies us
from all sin.
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and
the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful
and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from
all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we
make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in
our lives.” (1 John 1:5-10)
“Repentance and Forgiveness”
“No one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born
of water and the Spirit.” (John 3:5)
“born of water” means “repentance”. Repent your sins and
consider your sinful body has been buried in the flood.
“born of the Spirit” means “God’s forgiveness”. If you
repent, the Holy Spirit of God will wash your sins away
through the blood of Jesus.
“Eternal Life” or “Eternal Judgement”
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the
righteous to eternal life.” (Matthew 25:46)
This life is the opportunity for you to repent and receive
the eternal life. If you waste this opportunity, there will
be eternal punishment (hell).
Repent & confess your sins.
Recognize that Jesus died on the cross to pay for your
sins.
Accept God’s forgiveness through the blood of Jesus.
Read the Holy Bible.
Attend a Church.
Choose your Eternal Destiny
Just as people are destined to die once, and
after that to face judgment. (Hebrews 9:27)
We all know every one of us will die once sometimes.
What happens after the death? Each individual will face
judgement of God. What will be the result of the judgement?
See Matthew 25:46.
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the
righteous to eternal life.”
As shown above, the Holy Bible teaches us the eternal
destiny – either eternal punishment or eternal life. Where
do you want to spend your eternity? Would you leave
your eternal future to chances? This life is one chance for
your eternal destiny. Then, what should we do? See
Matthew 4:17a.
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for
the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
You should repent now seriously with tons of tears. Jesus
has paid for your sins & you will be forgiven. And you will
spend your eternity in the kingdom of heaven.
1. Read the Holy Bible every day and pray every day.
2. Live according to God’s will written in the Holy Bible.
About two trees in the middle of garden of Eden
In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2:9b)
The tree of the knowledge of good and evil was forbidden tree which would bring death if eaten (Genesis 2:17).
Before temptation & sin,
This tree gave them following knowledge:
It is “good’ if they do not eat from the tree and it is “evil” if they eat from the tree.
After temptation & sin,
This tree gave them
experimental knowledge of ‘good’ they lost and ‘evil’ they experienced.
the independent mind to decide what is good and bad without reference to God[1].
But, the consequence of sin (disobedience to God) was death (Genesis 3:19).
If your knowledge prevents you from coming to Christ, think of whether it is because you choose independence from God and choose the tree of knowledge of good & evil instead of the tree of life.
2 Cor 10:3-6 says
3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.
Choose life.
References
[1] Reyburn, W. D., & Fry, E. M. (1998). A handbook on Genesis (pp. 65–66). New York: United Bible Societies.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
“Come to me” (28a)
Today Jesus calls you to come to him. Who is your master? Whom do you obey? Everyone who sins is a slave to sin (John 8:34). A slave of sin is weary and burdened. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). The one who does what is sinful is of the devil (1 John 3:8).
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me” (29a)
Here “yoke” implies “master & disciple” relationship and “obedience”. Be His disciple. Learn His gentleness & humility.
“For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (30)
His ways are pleasant ways and all his paths are peace (Proverbs 3:17). When you are a disciple of Jesus, you won‘t carry the heavy burden that sin imposes.
You will be set free from sin (John 8:32). You will find ‘rest’ for your soul.
Today Jesus calls you.
Come and be his disciple.
You will find rest for your soul.
Follow Jesus even if many around you follow the world
“What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world,
yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for
their soul?” (Matthew 16:26)
Do you overlook your soul in pursuit of possession? Do not
exchange your soul with anything in the world. Your soul is
more precious than the whole universe.
Enter through the narrow gate
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and
broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter
through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that
leads to life, and only a few nd it.” (Matthew 7:13, 14)
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall
(Proverbs 16:18). Humble before God (James 4:10). Jesus is the
only way to God (John 14:6, Acts 4:12). There are many great
men but there is only one savior – the gate is narrow!
Jesus invites you to enter through the small gate & narrow road
that lead to life.
Jesus is the gate that leads to life
“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.
They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief
comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they
may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:9, 10)
