Matthew - Week 14

The Other Cheek 

READ 

Matthew 5:38-39 

38 “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.” 

Jesus continued to contrast the letter of the Old Testament law with a higher level of life He wanted His followers to have in His kingdom. On the one hand He set the limits of punishment; on the other hand He spoke of not resisting. Notice the comment about someone slapping you on the right cheek. David Roper, writing for Our Daily Bread, points out that if most people are right handed this would be like a backhanded slap that is more like an insult. If someone insults you, let him do it again. 

REFLECT 

Have you thought about the “right cheek” before and its significance?  

RESPOND 

With a fellow believer, think about this matter of receiving insults. Read 1 Peter 3:8-10 to see what Peter told his readers about insults. 

Those Who Ask 

READ 

Matthew 5:40-42 

40 “If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. 42 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.” 

Jesus wants those in His kingdom not to retaliate but return good for evil. Apparently soldiers could require a citizen to carry their gear for a mile; Jesus urged His followers to show their love and go an extra mile. Attempting to carry out these instructions now is commendable, but they will be fully carried out during the time Jesus is ruling in His kingdom on earth. 

REFLECT 

How are you doing at blessing those who are not treating you fairly? 

RESPOND 

Read 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 to see what the apostle Paul said believers should do about suing others in court. Talk with a friend about this. 

The Limits of Love 

READ 

Matthew 5:43-44 

43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” 

The Pharisees thought it was acceptable to hate one’s enemies even though Leviticus 19:18 told them to love others as themselves. As Matthew recorded the words of Jesus as He commanded others to “love your enemies,” the word he used for “love” was the verb form of agapē, which has to do with loving others even when there is no response. It is an act of the will, not of the emotions. One does not need to agree with enemies, but the believer should pray and act for their highest good. 

REFLECT 

Think about Jesus’ command in regard to how some people may be treating you because of your Christian testimony. 

RESPOND 

When Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment, His answer is found in Matthew 22:37-40. Talk about this passage with a Christian friend. 

True Children of God 

READ 

Matthew 5:45-46 

45 “In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.” 

Loving one’s enemies is a demonstration that he or she is a true child of God. One is born again by trusting in Jesus, but that relationship is shown by the act of loving others. Those who only love those who love them are no different than unbelievers. Jesus compared Christians with a lack of love with the “corrupt tax collectors” who were the lowest in Jewish opinion. Those tax collectors were working for the hated Roman Empire and even overcharging people.  

REFLECT 

Consider how others think of you if you claim to be a believer and yet only love those who love you. 

RESPOND 

Talk with a Christian friend about putting the words of Jesus into practice. Discuss ways you could do better at this. 

Be Perfect 

READ 

Matthew 5:47-48 

47 “If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” 

Jesus contrasted how some loved only fellow believers and not others. He reminded them that this would indicate they were no different than unbelievers. When He told them to be “perfect,” He was not referring to sinless perfection because that is only true of God. The word translated “perfect” in the common Greek language of the day referred to being “mature” or “complete.”  

REFLECT 

Is it your desire to be more mature in your knowledge of Jesus and in your Christian life? 

RESPOND 

How does one go from the milk stage to the meat stage in the Christian life? Hebrews 5:11-14 tells about this problem and gives the solution. As one applies the truths of the Bible to daily living, that person becomes more and more spiritually mature.