A lot of Jesus’ teachings were viewed as radical for the time because He was telling people to go even further and deeper in their relationship with God and with others. In Matthew 5, often referred to as the “Beatitudes,” Jesus seemingly spoke paradoxically when he said things like, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” and “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” He also said to “Rejoice and be glad” in response to persecution and evil against you. Words like “poor” and “kingdom,” “meek” and “inherit,” or “rejoice” and “persecution” seem to cancel each other out, but not in God’s kingdom.
Jesus goes on to say in Matthew 5:38-42, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.”
Wow.
I had to sit with these words for a minute as if I were hearing them for the first time.
Jesus isn’t just telling us to do unto others as we would have done to ourselves, but He’s really saying that we need to do better for others. Offering ourselves, even our literal bodies, in order to serve others and to bring glory to God. Didn’t Jesus model this for us on the cross? How much more than should we endure pain and uncomfortable situations to honor His words? That is pure religion and true ministry that lasts and impacts generations.
As we serve families in our community, our focus must continue to stay completely on Jesus. He said that if He is lifted up, He will draw all people to Him.1 His death on the cross, burial, and resurrection brought total victory to us to be reunified with God the Father and to no longer need to fear death and evil. We are now fully free to love the Lord God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength and to love our neighbors as ourselves.2 That freedom may not always be “comfortable,” and sometimes it will feel as if we’re not making a difference at all, but we aren’t supposed to worry about the results. He said He would do the drawing; we just have to be faithful in lifting Him up for others to see.
So let us all then be committed to doing better for others in our community. Cross the road for another in need. Afterall, Jesus went all the way to the cross for us.