Ian Barclay's Thought For The Day

A CHRISTIAN LOOKS AT MATTHEW’S GOSPEL
The higher law
Reading: Matthew 5:39-42 Click to view passage

Jesus illustrates the principle of non-resistance from four everyday situations. (i) Reaction to an insult. This is complicated because the only way a right-handed man can strike someone on the right cheek is with the back of the hand, which is clearly an insult. So Jesus is saying if someone insults let him do it again! (ii) Reaction to wrong-doing. The cloak is by far the more valuable garment. So Jesus is saying that Christians must be willing to surrender themselves to being defrauded and let God take care of the consequences. (iii) Reaction to imposition. In New Testament times an official could press a passer-by into service for one mile. Jesus is saying, surprise the official by volunteering for another. (iv) Reaction to the poor. Jesus is saying don’t be niggardly in your giving and don’t get fed up with the constant demands of the poor. Try a bit of the hilarious giving that Paul talks about. Which ever way you look at it, this higher law of non-resistance is quite extraordinary.

Meditation: Think over these four points. It is going to take a life-time to master them. They speak of the utter selflessness we are to show as Christians.
Prayer pointer: Give me a true servant heart.


Matthew:22