Matthew 5:38-48
38 “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. 39 But I tell you, don’t resist an evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 As for the one who wants to sue you and take away your shirt, let him have your coat as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and don’t 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. 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing out of the ordinary? Don’t even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
1 John 4:7-8
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
Related Text:
Genesis 12:1-3
Leviticus 24:17-20
Luke 6:27-37
Romans 12:14-18
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Well?
In Jesus’ famous Sermon on th Mount, Jesus enhances the Old Testament Law that the people were familiar with. He challenged people to take the Law one step farther: and these were no baby steps, they were giant leaps!
Jesus does this 6 times during Matthew 5. Here are two examples in addition to the 2 in today’s scripture. (That makes 4; go read Matthew 5 and see if you can find the other to times He pushes us to take it farther.)
Old Law #1: Do not murder, you will be judged. (v. 21)
New Law #1: Jesus says if you are angry, you are in danger of judgement. (v.) 22
Old Law #2: Do not commit adultery (v. 27)
New Law #2: But Jesus says whoever lusts has already committed adultery in his heart (v. 28)
Jesus is concerned with your heart, and any actions that don’t display the proper motives of the heart are empty actions.
