Choosing the Opposite: The Way of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mountഉദാഹരണം

Day 3: Reconciliation Instead of Revenge

Sometimes the opposite way of Jesus seems to go too far. This passage about non-resistance and loving enemies can feel that way.

After all, the Old Testament Law seemed to permit retaliation. For example, in Leviticus we read: “Anyone who injures their neighbor is to be injured in the same manner: fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. The one who has inflicted the injury must suffer the same injury.” (Leviticus 24:19-20) In other words, the punishment should fit the crime.

The Law also called God’s people to love their neighbors: “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:18) A crafty person looking for a loophole would acquiesce to this command, but also see in it permission to hate your enemies.

How does Jesus interpret these Scriptures? He raises the bar–calling His disciples to a more radical way of love.

When Jesus instructs His disciples not to resist an evil person, He’s not calling them to be passive, but rather to actively demonstrate the grace and mercy that characterize His Kingdom. He wants his followers to learn to react to mistreatment with the impulse of love. One of Jesus’ first disciples, Peter, echoes this teaching when he writes: “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:9)

Many people think Jesus has gone too far with these commands. After all, how ridiculous would it be to turn the other cheek to someone who has just slapped you? To hand over your clothes? To walk a road you don’t want to travel? How impossible it can seem to love your enemies!

And yet, that’s exactly what Jesus did. He did not retaliate when He was struck (Matthew 26:67). He was stripped, and His clothes were taken by others (Matthew 27:35). He was forced to carry His own cross on the road to His crucifixion (John 19:17). And as He died, He prayed forgiveness for His enemies (Luke 23:34).

Why did Jesus do this? Because He aims to turn enemies into friends. He longs for every person to find their way back to God and be reconciled to Him.

Who among us is willing to love like this? Those whose allegiance to Jesus is so complete that they are willing to suffer in this world–to follow Him in the ways of His Kingdom–with the hope that even their enemies will experience reconciliation.

Reflection: What do you find difficult about Jesus’ teachings on loving your enemies and turning the other cheek? Ask Jesus to help you learn to love the way He loves.