On April 10, I heard a message by Pastor and Faculty member
Andre Rogers called, "
Go The Extra Mile" during chapel on the campus of
Columbia International Univeristy. I got to thinking . . .
The law establishes a standard principle for retribution that is just, “an eye for an eye.” But the point of Jesus’ teaching is that the Christian has an option—he does not have to carry out the law but is in a perfect position to share the gospel. I present my thoughts in the semi-Socratic, or in catechistic form:
Q:
What is the point of Jesus’ teaching?A: Jesus teaches first that a Christian should not resist the evil-doer.
Q:
Who is the evil-doer?
A: The one who would lay his hand (literally or figuratively) on another with the intent on doing harm.
Q:
Who is able to raise his hand against another?A: Anyone who seeks to commit an evil act against another. This is one way to tell a professing Christian from who is truly born again.
Q: What should the warning be for the Christian?
A: Striking another implies hatred, and hatred is equated with murder. “
Whosoever hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” (1 John 3:15)
Q:
What are the rights of the Christian in this case?A: You have the right to turn the other cheek.
Q:
Is doing evil limited to actually “laying hands” on a person?
A: What did Jesus already teach in Matthew 5:21-26 but that the one who hates his brother is committing murder and not merely liable to the court but hell-bound.
Q:
Why is this?A: Because man is made in God’s image and to strike, breathe threats against or even murder another is to demean another who stands as God’s representative on earth. These actions betray a low view of one’s creator and an attempt to dominate over another who actually shares the same position.
Q:
What is the benefit does turning the other cheek?A: Turning the other cheek confirms your place as a heavenly citizen and his place as one doomed to hell.
Q:
Does this mean a Christian is not to defend himself?
A: No, rather if one is wearing the helmet of salvation and is carrying the shield of faith, he is already well-defended. The counter of the Christian is to offer forgiveness, whether it is received or not. Remember, the doom of the attacker is already sealed unless he repents.
Q:
What is someone wants to sue?
A: First, one may consider how closely this follows that of striking another. Should the evil-doer feel he did not do enough damage in striking (with hand or tongue), he attempts to damage in another way.
Q:
What are the rights of the Christian in this case?A: The Christian has the right to be sued and give more than was asked. You have the right to be wronged.
Q:
What is the purpose of giving more than is asked?
A: Giving more than asked again confirms who you are and who he is. A citizen of heaven knows all he has is from above (seeking first the kingdom and His righteousness). He is at no loss if the flowers are more arrayed than Solomon. A citizen of hell is confirmed by his covetousness. When he dies, the evil-doer looses all he has gained around him and takes with him all he has amassed of himself. In other words, when he dies, the evil-doer will have gained the whole world and lost his soul.
Q:
We are so familiar with the Roman demand, that anyone asked must bear his burden one mile and Jewish practice was to do this grudgingly, dropping the load at exactly the mile-mark. What does “going the extra mile” really mean for us today?A: Going the extra mile means you have the right to serve. If you take anything into your own hands, it is going to be the burden of someone who asks of you.
Q:
Is it that simple?A: No. You have your own burden to carry as well. The point of your service is to not merely demonstrate the injustice of evil-doers but to show the mind of our Lord Jesus Christ through service.
Q:
What is the difference between giving what is asked of you and what you give in being sued?A: The evil-doer is demanding of you with the intent to harm in suing, as well as to salve his seared conscience with false comforts. Suddenly he may find himself in real need and does indeed require the ministry of lending. Where is he to go, but to the one who has stood in obedience to God against him? The same God who we trust for our own daily bread is using our hand to dispense what is in it to those who look for daily bread also. Our ministry is to point back to Him. If we cannot help, we are in no position to put him down, lest we do an act of evil.
Q:
What should we make of the difference between “giving” and “lending?”A: Jesus obviously thinks of these as equals. Though generosity marks the obedient Christian, lending challenges the dishonest. Lending holds justice to the liar, the thief, the coveter and puts him in a gospel position to be rescued from hell.
