Not So Easy

Jesus said, “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 evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.  If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.  Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.  Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.”

“You have heard it said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”

“For if you love those who love you, what more are you doing than others?  Do not even the tax collectors do the same?”

“If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than the others?  Do not even the Gentiles do the same?”

“Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Matthew 5:38-48

The message we get from Jesus is that He expects us to respond to less than perfect human encounters in a manner that defies human nature.  It is easy to be kind to those who are kind to us.  It is not so easy to do the same for those who treat us badly.

As we practice these principles we begin to see people in a different light.  We are no longer wedded to anger and hate but begin to feel love and compassion for those who do not know Jesus.  And, those who do not know Jesus may not admit it, but they see love pouring out of us when we treat them as they least expect to be treated.