Transformational Teaching

When we read the Sermon on the Mount delivered by Jesus to His disciples, it ought to be deeply challenging to us Christians because it is not our natural way of living and thinking.  To people who grew up under the Law of Moses it was shocking how Jesus went beyond the letter of the Law and illuminated and emphasised matters of the heart.  It is important to recognise the teachings of Jesus were a monumental shift from allegiance from the Law of Moses and to Jesus Christ as the original lawgiver and present LORD.  In our day of grace it is possible to dismiss the Law because we are not "under it" but neglect to submit to Jesus our KING and sovereign.  The teachings of Jesus demonstrate all who call Him LORD ought to hear and do as He says.

For instance, Jesus said 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 tell you not to 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 away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. ⁴¹ And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. ⁴² Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away."  Many times when I read the teachings of Jesus, the contrast is so extreme from the wisdom of the world and my own inclination that I can be tempted to think of situations that must be exceptions when His commands do not apply.  But this is not the case.  We may point to sections of scripture where people resisted evil, retaliated in kind, or stood up for their legal rights, yet that does not change what Jesus said.  Jesus is not calling us to be spineless punching bags, naked and homeless because we can't help but do whatever other greedy people demand of us, but for us to depend and rely upon Him for protection and provision.  Knowing vengeance is God's and He will repay, I do not need to stand up for myself or my rights when He is my refuge.  The Judge of all the earth will do right.

Under the Law of Moses, if someone punched out your tooth you had the legal right to demand the offender's tooth be knocked out as compensation for your lost tooth.  Rather than retaliating against others, Jesus would have us generously love and serve others, praying for our enemies rather than cursing them.  Being slapped in the face physically or battered by unkind words is not open season for us to do as has been done to us.  Even if our eye has been put out on purpose, we ought to follow the command and example of Jesus to look to the LORD in faith and sought to honour Him by loving others.  We are never at the mercy of our enemies when the almighty God sits on the throne over all and is our advocate.  Demanding an eye for our eye focuses more on what we have lost, our desire for retribution and making others pay rather than rejoicing in the LORD who sees, heals and restores us.

Following Jesus is to embark on a whole new way of living by faith in Him that runs contrary to our natural thought processes and inclinations.  To those who were sued and stood to lose their clothes, Jesus said to part with your jacket too.  Is God unable to provide for our needs when He clothes the flowers with beauty?  To people who put their foot down and would not go one mile Jesus told them to go an extra mile willingly and gladly.  Can't the LORD use a walk along the road to share His love and grace with others?  Jesus said to give to those who ask and those who desire to borrow we ought not turn away.  Hasn't God been generous to forgive us every time we repent of our sin?  Isn't everything we have a gift from His hand?  God has not left us to make wise decisions alone, for He has freely provided the Holy Spirit who guides us into all truth.  As Jesus did not cater to the temptations of Satan or cave to the pressure of the Pharisees, we are never obligated to veer from following Jesus, honouring Him in all we say and do.