Daily Devotional For Sunday, September 29, 2024
We are making our way through Jesus’ Sermon On The Mount. Well, today, we are striving to understand Jesus’ words in the Sermon On The Mount in Matthew 5:38-42:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ (39) But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. (40) If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. (41) Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. (42) Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you” (NASB).
Today we are looking at verses 40-42 today. The Greek New Testament word translated as “shirt” is [χιτών, chiton]. This refers to a piece of clothing worn as an undergarment to offset the itching and irritation that a robe might cause. We would use the word “T-shirt” today. The Greek New Testament word translated as “coat” is [ἱμάτιον, himation]. This referred to an outer garment that Jews also used as a blanket at night. These were expensive to make and they were time consuming to make. Most people only owned one “coat or cloak.” Most people in Jesus’ owned at least 1-2 shirts and it was the outer garment God has specified in the Old Testament Law that had to be returned before nightfall. Look at Exodus 22:26-27:
“If you ever take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, you are to return it to him before the sun sets, (27) for that is his only covering; it is his cloak for his body. What else shall he sleep in? And it shall come about that when he cries out to Me, I will hear him, for I am gracious” (NASB).
So, why would anyone take someone’s coat or cloak? Pastor and author John MacArthur sheds some light on this:
“Jesus is not speaking of a robbery, in which a person tries to steal your clothes, but of the legitimate claim of anyone who wants to sue you. When a person had no money or other possessions, the court often would require the fine or judgment be paid by clothing. The attitude of a kingdom citizen, one who is truly righteous, should be willingness to surrender even one’s coat, his extremely valuable outer garment, rather than cause offense or hard feelings with an adversary. The court could not demand the coat, but it could be voluntarily given to meet the required debt. And that is precisely what Jesus says we should be willing to do.”
If a legal judgment is fairly made against us for a certain amount, we should be willing to offer even more in order to show our regret for any wrong we did and to show that we are not bitter or resentful against the one who has sued us. In so doing we will show the love of Christ and that we are “sons of [our] Father who is in heaven” (v. 45). It is better even to be defrauded than to be resentful and spiteful. Paul later instructs Christians regarding lawsuits in 1 Cor. 6:1–8, emphasizing a similar principle of willingness to forfeit one’s due rather than be vengeful” (Source: John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, “Matthew,” p. 334).
God even in His provision for legal disputes such as one person suing another had a biblical obligation to not take advantage of the person they were suing. They were also to make sure they were provided for in the settlement. We live in an age where people, even Christian people, people who call themselves followers and disciples of Jesus Christ demand their rights. This is not our home. We are simply passing through. If more Christians demanded passionately their right to submit themselves to the Lordship of Jesus Christ by denying themselves, taking up their cross daily, as they passionately demand their rights, then our churches might be a different place and the Gospel shared more successfully.
New Testament scholar William Barclay writes this:
“What Jesus is saying is this: ‘Christians never demand rights; they never dispute about their legal rights; they do not consider themselves to have any legal rights at all.’ There are people who are forever demanding their rights, who clutch their privileges to them and who will not be separated from them, who will militantly go to law rather than suffer what they regard as the slightest infringement of them. Churches are tragically full of people like that, officials whose territory has been invaded, office-bearers who have not been accorded their proper place, courts which do business with a manual of practice and procedure on the table all the time, lest anyone’s rights should be invaded. People like that have not even begun to see what Christianity is. Christians think not of their rights, but of their duties; not of their privileges, but of their responsibilities. Christians are people who have forgotten that they have any rights at all; and those who will fight to the legal death for their rights, inside or outside the Church, are far from the Christian way” (Source: William Barclay, The Daily Study Bible Series Bible Commentary, “Matthew,” Vol. 1, p. 193).
Even now our own Southern Baptist Convention is being overwhelmed with lawsuits that are about to send us into bankruptcy. Here is a direct link if you would like to read it for yourself: https://www.christianpost.com/news/sbc-to-sell-nasvhille-headquarters-amid-legal-expenses.html. In addition to these lawsuits, one of our own Southern Baptists, a former president of our SBC and a native of Wilmington, NC is suing us also. Here are the links to this: https://www.christianpost.com/news/sbc-has-not-settled-johnny-hunt-lawsuit-president-says.html and https://www.christianpost.com/news/sbc-ignored-sexual-abuse-to-avoid-liability-report-claims.html. As Christians we are commanded by God to not sue one another ever. James Dobson’s, Focus On The Family has a whole article on this. You can read the link here: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/family-qa/christians-and-lawsuits/.
How in the world can we ever convince our world and culture that God’s Word is inspired, inerrant, and infallible if we intentionally do not obey it, which in itself is a sin. How can people who claim to be called by God as pastors, missionaries, convention leaders, and church leaders ever have any integrity and respect when they have taught God’s Word now choose to violate it in suing one another?
In the last part of Jesus’ words, He refers to something that Roman Law allowed that has Persian context. When Persia conquered the known world starting in 539 BC, they set up a fantastic postal system. The word translated as “forces or compels” is the Greek New Testament word [ἀγγαρεύω, aggareuo]. It comes from a Persian noun (aggareuein) that means “courier.” Persian roads were divided into stopping points. A rider would carry mail for one day and when he arrived at that stopping point for the day, he was provided food, water and lodging for both himself and his horse. If something was lacking, Persian Law gave the rider the right to compel people who lived around the stopping point permission to make up the difference. This meant that if his horse was injured or sick, locals would be compelled to provide another horse.
When Rome conquered the known world in 27 BC, they took this practice and applied to their own military. Roman Law allowed a Roman soldier the right to compel conquered people, in this case, Jews, to carry something for the Roman soldier at least one mile (actually 1,000 paces), but no more. This was slightly less than our modern mile. Jews and any conquered people by Rome hated this law. A Roman soldier could require these conquered people to carry a Roman soldier's sword, armor, and pack which were the very weapons used by Rome to oppress and control those they had conquered. So, as they carried these, Jews were visibly reminded they were conquered and slaves to Rome.
At any moment, a man might feel the touch of the flat of a Roman spear on his shoulder, and know that he was compelled to serve the Romans, probably in the most menial way. That, in fact, is what happened to Simon of Cyrene, when he was compelled (aggareuein) to bear the cross of Jesus. Jews hated and resented this law because it proved they were conquered slaves to Rome.
So, what should be our response as disciples of Jesus Christ? New Testament scholar Kent Hughes writes this:
“In an unequal power situation, you have no choice about the first mile. The soldier has the sword, so you carry his gear. And it’s a mile and an hour you can never get back. You’re the loser. What’s to be done? The second mile is your choice. It’s your way of saying, “God is in control here. He gives me energy, and a mere mile does not exhaust me. That sword is nothing; God is everything. Do you want to know where the real power lies? Try to keep up with me and I’ll tell you” (Source: Kent R. Hughes, The Life Application Study Bible Commentary, “Matthew,” p. 104).
Questions To Consider
- Do you consistently give grace, mercy, forgiveness, and love to those who hurt and insult you, take advantage of you? Why or why not?
- Are you the type of person who only does the minimal asked or do you go the extra mile? Why or why not?
- In verse 42 we are commanded by Jesus to give to those who demand from us. Are you a generous and grateful giver to others or do you at times internally whine, complain, resent and judge those who ask?
- Does your life exhibit an absolute trust that God is in control no matter what is happening and He will provide for you in any way to do what you are asked to do?
- Do you think Christians should demand their rights? Why or why not?
Scripture To Meditate On: Proverbs 3:27-28,“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in your power to do it. (28) Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it,” When you have it with you” (NASB).
Prayer To Pray: “Dear Jesus, please forgive me when my attitude is not always that which pleases You. I want to be both a person who fulfills what is required as well as exceed those expectations and requests. I acknowledge to You that everything I have is Yours and I ask that You give me the wisdom and the conviction to use everything You have given me to Your glory. I love You Jesus. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
I love you Southside!--Pastor Kelly