There are few statements from Jesus that we struggle with more than His challenges concerning how we deal with enemies. Jesus makes some incredibly uncomfortable and wildly unpopular asks. Even today, when I reference these verses of Scripture, I invariably will be hit with a chorus of “Yeah, but…” in the moments and days that follow. What Jesus is asking isn’t hard to understand; it’s difficult to apply.
Jesus challenges His hearers to stop the cycles of retribution and retaliation and instead to act with compassion and grace.
In each case, Jesus highlights a well-established and commonly accepted pattern of behavior and turns it upside down. Jesus challenges His hearers to stop the cycles of retribution and retaliation and instead to act with compassion and grace. He implores His followers to stop seeing and treating one another based upon human standards and instead to allow the example of our holy God dictate our attitudes and actions.
In Matthew 5:38-45, Jesus says:
You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles… You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven…
Jesus follows a clear pattern. He starts with, “You have heard that it was said…” after which He highlights a commonly accepted understanding and practice of the day. He then follows up with “But I tell you…” after which He prescribes a fundamental shift in expectation.
Jesus starts by addressing with how we respond to hostility from others. At first glance, it appears that Jesus is encouraging people to passively accept physical violence. While I would Jesus is encouraging His followers not to return blows, the wording actually refers to the ability to be offended without becoming offensive. Jesus encourages us to make every effort to bring peaceful resolution to conflict, to go the extra mile to keep the peace.
Next, Jesus digs into the underlying issue. He addresses the perception of and posture towards others. Jesus instructs His followers to cultivate love for their enemies, to offer prayers for those who have hurt them. If we approach others with affection in our hearts rather than animosity, it will impact the way we interact with them. If we seek direction and blessing from God for them, it increases the likelihood that we will offer the same from ourselves. This fundamental shift in approach will certainly impact the quality and outcome of our interactions.
For us to have any hope of undoing the hateful patterns so prevalent in the world, we must stop propagating the foolishness we hear and see around us. We must do the difficult work of living out the words of Jesus.
Many of us complain, both early and often, about the polarization in modern American culture. We are so quick to circle the proverbial wagons and lob shots at anyone who even seems remotely at odds with us. To our great shame, this is just as true within the church as it is in the world at large. We love those who love us and push back against those we see as our enemies. As Jesus points out in Matthew 5:46-47, there’s no reward in following the flow of self-interesting, sinful patterns. Jesus said we should be different.
For us to have any hope of undoing the hateful patterns so prevalent in the world, we must stop propagating the foolishness we hear and see around us. We must do the difficult work of living out the words of Jesus. We know all-too-well what’s being said, but that ought not be what determines our attitudes and actions. We need to turn our attention to what Jesus said, and even more so what Jesus did, and let that dictate our response and approach to the world around us. It is absolutely counterintuitive, counter-cultural, and often uncomfortable and inconvenient. But no one ever made a difference by doing the same thing we’ve always done or the same things everyone else is doing. May we endeavor to be different by doing what Jesus said.
