38"You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’
39But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.
40And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.
41If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.
42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
43"You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
- P118
Old Testament laws support retribution equal to the offense when someone commits an injustice. However, Jesus encourages His disciples not only to endure unjust actions but also to extend further grace and hospitality to those who have wronged them. - P120
We may desire retaliation when someone hurts us, and we may want to resist those who try to borrow from us. However, as followers of Jesus, we are called to extend grace to others. It is a sign of great inner strength when we are able to bless those who curse us and give generously to those who want to borrow from us. Such love and grace can be more powerful than any punishment or rebuke. - P120
Jesus challenges His disciples once again to act beyond what is prescribedin the Mosaic Law by loving their enemies and even praying for those whopersecute them. God shows His care to both the righteous and unrigh-teous, and if His people only love those whare like them, then they are nodifferent from cheating tax collectors of those who do not know the Lord.
- P120
Instead, God‘s people should mirror their Father in heaven. We show whatthe Christian life is like when we seek to imitate our perfect Father by lov-ing our enemies and praying for those who persecute us. We demonstratethe grace of the gospel as we love sinners and pray that they might changetheir ways. - P120
Heavenly Father, in a world filled with injustice, I pray that I might demonstrate Your love and grace. Help me to become more like You, loving my enemies and praying for those who persecute me. In Your Son’s name I pray, amen. - P121
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