As
Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18
Matthew 5:38-48
In the Gospel reading, we are still in Jesus’ Sermon on the
Mount. For the last four weeks the
readings have been continuous. The
verses appointed for today from Matthew follow immediately after the verses we
heard last week.
This portion of the Sermon on the Mount is sometimes called
the Six Antitheses. Six times
Jesus says, you have heard it said in the past, but now I say to you. On the one had is the past
teaching. On the other hand, the
antithesis, Jesus’ new teaching that contrasts with the past. Last week we heard the first four
antitheses; this week the final two.
In today’s passage, Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a
tooth.’ But I say to you…” turn the other cheek… if someone sues you for your coat, give him also your cloak…
The principal of an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth is
often called by its Latin name, lex
talionis. It codifies the law
of retaliation. Believe it or not lex talionis was initially a progressive
step forward, because it limited retaliation to what was fair or equitable. If someone took one eye from you, you
were not entitled to take two eyes from him in retaliation. And once retaliation had been
extracted, the dispute was over.
Acts of retaliation were embodied in both the Jewish and Roman law of
Jesus’ day.
But Jesus says, retaliation is not the way. Even “fair” retaliation is not the
way. Your relationships with one
another should be governed by compassion and generosity, even in the face of
injury or offence.
In today’s reading, Jesus also says: “You have heard that it
was 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…”
The reference about loving your neighbors is from the
passage in Leviticus we heard this morning. You
shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin…. you shall love your neighbor as yourself.
In Leviticus, “neighbor” means fellow Israelite. Scholars point out that this
passage in Leviticus does not command hatred of the enemy. In fact, it urges compassion for the
“alien” in your midst. Other
passages in the Old Testament, however, do seem to permit or encourage hatred
of the enemies of Israel.
But Jesus says, love your enemies. Love means to act for the good of others. Not only are Jesus’ disciples not to
hate their enemies, they are charged to actively love them. To act with love and compassion for the
good of others, even their enemies.
These sayings of Jesus are hard. It’s hard to think that we could even begin to live up to
them. There is a tendency to just
give up.
For me very helpful to think about the “why.” Why does Jesus offer these
teachings? Why might we be
motivated to try to follow them?
First, what is Jesus not saying? These are not entrance requirements to become a
disciple. These are not difficult
tasks that must be fulfilled before someone can be admitted as a disciple. This is not like rush week to become a
disciple.
Nor are these actions ways to receive a heavenly reward, to
earn Jesus’ favor.
It’s an invitation.
It may not sound like an invitation, but it is. An invitation to join Jesus in doing
God’s work.
For me, the most important word in this passage is “as.” That little word “as.” In comes in the last sentence: Be
perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. On first hearing there is certainly the
tendency to go right to that word “perfect.” Be perfect as your heavenly father is perfect. Which just leads to further despair at
the impossibility of accomplishing that.
But don’t focus on the word “perfect.” In the parallel
passage in Luke, Jesus says, “merciful” not “perfect. “ Furthermore, the Greek word Matthew uses
doesn’t really mean perfect in the way we usually use the word. It means more “attaining the goal which
is your purpose.” Accomplishing
that for which God intended you.
So back to the word “as.” The word “as” is the key to this for me.
“As” you may know, the usage of “as” is complicated in
English, but here it simply means “a comparison in the way things are done…” A comparison in the way things are
done.
Do things as your
heavenly Father does things. Do
things in the way God does things.
Disciples do things in the way God does things. As best they can. As best we can.
One commentator has said that this passage is not about
following God’s will; it’s about imitating God’s nature. It’s not a command or a
requirement. It’s a description of
God’s way, God’s way of doing things, and an invitation to do things in the
same way.
God certainly does things differently than the world does. Jesus is making that very clear.
God’s way is compassion, not retribution. And God looks on everyone, even our
enemies, with eyes of love. We are
invited to look at our enemies with God’s eyes.
It’s easier to imitate God’s way of doing things if we are
close to God. It’s more natural,
even joyful, for us to act with compassion and love towards others if we have
known and experienced God’s love and compassion ourselves. So the place to start is for us to seek
closeness with God through worship, personal prayer, and the reading of Scripture. The closer we are to God, the more
easily and joyfully we can share God’s nature with others.
We cannot be God.
We cannot always act as God
would act. We won’t always get it
right, but we can try. From time
to time, here and there, we can be
agents of God’s compassion and love.
We can share God’s nature with others and bring God’s blessing to them.
