Living Faith (part two - violence of the heart - Matthew 5:21-26 & 38-48)

Jesus said that he came to fulfil the law (Matthew 5:17), indicating that Jesus himself would bring full meaning to the law. Jesus would extend the implications of the law right into our hearts – the centre of our attitudes, motivations and decision-making. The law against the act of murder would extend into a challenge toward the anger that we harbour internally. If we want to ensure that we don’t commit murder, then we need to deal with the anger residing inside of us. Anger in itself is a natural emotion, and sometimes is most understandable considering was has been inflicted upon us. Yet it must be dealt with before the point where it causes us to sin. In Ephesians 4:26-27 we read, “Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil”. One of the ways to deal positively with anger is to forgive the one who has offended us (whether or not they have said they are sorry). Here we take note of the forgiveness offered by Jesus from the cross for all those who unjustly put him there (Luke 23:34). We should, where at all possible, and where it is not going to put us in personal danger, to reconcile with people with whom we have had problems with. Paul said in his Romans letter, “If it is possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all” (12:18). The opposite of this of course is the breaking out of open conflict. When animosities and conflicts are allowed to get out of control, tragedy is not far away! Christians can be criticised for their angry even violent behaviour, which gives the Jesus cause a very bad name … which should just NOT be the case. In fact, if we conclude that “by their fruits you shall know them” (Matthew 7:20), then we might conclude that the person known for their angry and violent behaviour just could not possibly be a Christian (for this is so contrary to the Jesus they are meant to be following)!! Being a “peacemaker” (Matthew 5:9) means also getting involved when others are angry (either with us or with others), hoping and praying that harmony can be restored. Jesus teaches that this should be given a high priority – that even our own worship should be interrupted in the crucial pursuit of peace.

When we come to Jesus, any thoughts of revenge are now out-of-bounds! “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” was brought in to the legal code to make sure that punishment did not go beyond what was reasonable for the crime committed. The punishment for the offender was to fit the loss incurred by the victim … AND NO MORE! This was the first attempt at challenging a revengeful attitude. Jesus takes this even further to make sure that we never take the law into our own hands, or, more to the point, take over God’s role as judge. Jesus followers will never fight violence with violence, nor exacerbate conflict, but rather live in a way that promotes the restoration of peace. Sometimes this will require sacrifice, that seems to bring us personal pain and loss – yet it is in the greater cause of community peace. Jesus is saying that we shouldn’t let fear or insult or material possessions or our legal rights or personal inconvenience, get in the way of restoring a relationship. Did Jesus really mean this? Well, the fact that Jesus himself lived this out, makes me think ‘yes’! Think about when Jesus was arrested, and think about his willingness to suffer the worst of deaths. What about when our country is attacked, or our family is under threat, or we ourselves are in danger!?! How do we apply this teaching? As much as possible … with non-violent resistance! ‘Turning the other cheek’ does not mean becoming an easy victim, but rather indicates taking a stand that will call attention to the abuse in such a fashion that the abuser will recognise the futility of their actions (Walter Wink / Michael Hardin). At the very least when pushed, surely we seek to do the most good, while inflicting the least harm … or if you like, the least of the possible evils! I would argue that there is no such thing as a “just war” (for war can never be just), but only the lesser of certain evils. War can never be meritorious or commended, because it tears away at the heart of God. This call to be a peacemaker leads to the natural conclusion of loving one’s enemies (or those that are somehow considered our enemies), for we can’t truly be a peacemaker without looking at people in a new and more gracious way. This is our greatest test – if we want to truly be a child of God, we have to find a way to love our enemies. This includes those who have persecuted, offended and hurt us, as well as those that we think threaten our well-being. Our required love of neighbour is extended to everyone – to all those that God offers indiscriminate love and life-giving mercy.