Monday, May 21
Theme for the week:
Disciples live ‘under the Spirit’ of the Law
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 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. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.”
In trying to get a handle on this hard-to-grasp teaching of Jesus – the two almost seem opposing in nature – it helps to know the original intent of the original law: “eye for an eye” (Deuteronomy 19:21).
The spirit of the law was to limit vengeance. Unfortunately, many people had come to use the law Jesus with the attitude of vengeance. There was legitimate space for retribution in the old testament law, but at its heart, it was a desire to limit rather than escalate vengeful actions.
Jesus steers us away from the revenge-orientation focused on an offense or slight. Instead he orients us toward a generous love-and-serve orientation (give an extra tunic, go the extra mile, etc) with an “enemy” – thus calling for us to move out of love rather than revenge.
This is not to say that there is no place for retribution. Application of “eye for an eye” acknowledges equal value of all people before God. It is in applying such a law with the right spirit – love included – that we learn that these teachings can co-exist.
Often people just want revenge for being wronged – real or perceived. Jesus takes us out of revenge mode and into love-and-serve mode.
Prayer for the week
Father God, I want to have your Spirit teach my spirit to live under the spirit of the law. There will be no shortage of opportunities for me to practice this love-and-serve mode rather than revenge mode in my life. Help me to push away from a spirit of revenge and instead embrace a measured spirit of love and grace even if there is a need for retribution, In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Psalm 119: Immersed in the Word of God
This is our continuing opportunity to encounter God through His Word in Psalm 119. Unique in the bible, Psalm 119 is fashioned around the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet (seen above). Each section contains eight verses, making it easily the longest psalm at 176 verses.
Psalm of Meditation for the Week:
Psalm 119:41-48 (Waw)
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- May your unfailing love come to me, LORD, your salvation, according to your promise;
- then I can answer anyone who taunts me, for I trust in your word.
- Never take your word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws.
- I will always obey your law, for ever and ever.
- I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.
- I will speak of your statutes before kings and will not be put to shame,
- for I delight in your commands because I love them.
- I reach out for your commands, which I love, that I may meditate on your decrees.
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Read: the verses twice.
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Mark: the words or phrases that catch your attention.
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Meditate: talk (better yet write) with God about those words. Ask him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect a response from the Lord.
Pondering Point
This part of Psalm 119 uses these words to describe interaction with God’s Word: Delight, freedom, hope, love, and trust. Which one most connects with you?
