Give
Matthew 5:40-42 “And
if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as
well. 41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give
to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow
from you.”
IF you’ve been reading along on our view of Matthew 5, Jesus’
Sermon on the Mount, you would have seen by now that each verse has been a major
sermon point. Every single statement Jesus speaks brings radical change to the
ways we look life as we presume it to be.
Note that Jesus is
preaching to proclaim the truth. We must understand in the preaching that Jesus
is not suggesting, not having a conversation and not asking, “What do you
think?” The Sermon on the Mount is a sermon. Sermons are designed for
proclaiming the truth. The listener must receive the truth and strive to live
into what is said.
With that said,
look at the radical teaching in this scripture. Jesus said that if someone
steals your tunic (your overcoat), a person’s most valuable clothing possession
of that day, then give him your cloak (shirt), too. And be ready to give an
extra mile to the Roman couriers who could make you carry a heavy burden for any
distance. Even more, be prepared to loan money to one who asks. Jesus does not
say to loan foolishly, but be of a mindset to discern a proper request and to
act accordingly.
Jesus’ sermon
point here is to direct us to go beyond what we are asked. Kingdom living is
living as the King who has given to us life and given to us the way to eternal
life.
LIFE Link: Give beyond your obligations, and God will become
clearer to you.
No comments:
Post a Comment