In the part of Jesus’ training talk we explored last week, he was expanding on existing commandments. This next portion shows him going beyond existing law to interpretations so radical, I imagine at least some of his listeners said, “Is this guy nuts? I’m outta here.” Some of Jesus’ would-be followers in every generation since have said that when confronted by the dissonance between what Jesus taught and how “the world works.” “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.” (Isaiah 55:8)
As we wade in, let's remember that Jesus was introducing his followers to life in a realm wholly other than this present world we perceive with our senses. This “kingdom” life of God for which he was preparing them is both contiguous with the sense-known world, and is its own realm, perceivable by faith. It’s as though he is explaining how things work in, say, Indonesia, what laws you need to know to live there. We can decide whether or not to go – but if we want to follow Jesus, that’s where we’re going, and we need to learn the ways of that place, the Life of God.
The first law he offers is: Don’t fight back.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also…”
How are we to live in this world if we just accept attacks and don’t respond? What about self-defense? What about victims of abuse? I don’t hear Jesus saying you can’t defend yourself, or those you love. But I do hear him ruling out retaliation, which is hard enough for us on a human level.
Beyond those questions, I sense an invitation to go deeper in conflicted situations, to respond in a counter-intuitive way, not meeting aggression with force, but with manoeuvers that use the attacker’s force, the way certain martial arts moves work. Or the classic, opening a door someone’s trying to force open, so they fall into the room. Jesus’ battle with Satan can be viewed in that light.
Jesus sets a higher goal: the transformation of our attackers. As frightening as that prospect may be, we have stories in our own time of quite extraordinary courage resulting in even more amazing outcomes. Remember the story of Ashley Smith, the Georgia woman taken captive by a fugitive on trial for rape. Despite the risk, she managed to reach his humanity by being human herself, making him eggs, reading to him from The Purpose-Driven Life, sharing her own story of transformation and healing with him. (Here is a transcript of Smith’s whole story – truly amazing.)
I pray none of us is faced with circumstances that traumatic. But I imagine we’ve all been hurt at some points in our lives, and faced the choice whether or not to retaliate. Are there some times when you did? Any times when you were aware of making a different choice? Are you faced with circumstances in your life today, where that choice is before you, whether to hit back or to absorb and transform?
One way we can choose to not resist evildoers is to ask the Holy Spirit to be right there with us when we feel attacked. In the Spirit’s power we might even see those who oppose us with compassion, even pray for their wholeness. Who knows what marvels God might work with such a prayer.
How are we to live in this world if we just accept attacks and don’t respond? What about self-defense? What about victims of abuse? I don’t hear Jesus saying you can’t defend yourself, or those you love. But I do hear him ruling out retaliation, which is hard enough for us on a human level.
Beyond those questions, I sense an invitation to go deeper in conflicted situations, to respond in a counter-intuitive way, not meeting aggression with force, but with manoeuvers that use the attacker’s force, the way certain martial arts moves work. Or the classic, opening a door someone’s trying to force open, so they fall into the room. Jesus’ battle with Satan can be viewed in that light.
Jesus sets a higher goal: the transformation of our attackers. As frightening as that prospect may be, we have stories in our own time of quite extraordinary courage resulting in even more amazing outcomes. Remember the story of Ashley Smith, the Georgia woman taken captive by a fugitive on trial for rape. Despite the risk, she managed to reach his humanity by being human herself, making him eggs, reading to him from The Purpose-Driven Life, sharing her own story of transformation and healing with him. (Here is a transcript of Smith’s whole story – truly amazing.)
I pray none of us is faced with circumstances that traumatic. But I imagine we’ve all been hurt at some points in our lives, and faced the choice whether or not to retaliate. Are there some times when you did? Any times when you were aware of making a different choice? Are you faced with circumstances in your life today, where that choice is before you, whether to hit back or to absorb and transform?
One way we can choose to not resist evildoers is to ask the Holy Spirit to be right there with us when we feel attacked. In the Spirit’s power we might even see those who oppose us with compassion, even pray for their wholeness. Who knows what marvels God might work with such a prayer.
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