Dave's Diary

Prayer

Before you read, I invite you to pray this prayer based on Psalm 119:28-30

Lord, when my soul is weary; strengthen me according to your word.
Keep me from the ways of deceit and hate; be gracious to me and teach me your law.
Today I choose the way of faithfulness; and set my heart on obeying your commands. Amen.

Briefly prepare your heart in silence, and ask the Holy Spirit to awaken your sense of anticipation that God is about to speak to you through His Word.

Reading

Matthew 5:38-42

Jesus’ way of love is clearly not for the fainthearted. In this reading, He calls us to follow Him on the Way of selflessly loving others, even when they respond with rejection. He calls us to love the unlovable and to make love a higher priority than social appearances, pride (v.39), possessions (v.40), convenience (v.41), or financial gain (v.42).

All of the examples Jesus’ gives in these verse can only be properly understood in the context of the day.

In Jesus’ day when someone was slapped on the right cheek (v.39), it was inevitably a backhanded slap, which signified an insult rather than an attempt at actual physical harm. The picture it conjures up is of approaching someone to greet them with the traditional kiss on each cheek and receiving rejection via an insulting “slap in the face”. Jesus’ calls us, in moments like that, to keep approaching in loving welcome (by turning the other cheek in continued greeting). We are not to allow rejection to cause us to turn our backs on others. Instead, we are called to continue reaching out in love. This is the way of selfless love.

In that day one could be sued for one’s tunic, but not for one’s coat (as this often doubled as a poor man’s blanket). So with His words in v.40, Jesus calls us to prioritise relationships over possessions. It’s not that we make ourselves pushovers, but if fighting fire with fire to protect our material wealth will burn our bridges to others, we are to value relationship with them more highly than we value our mere physical possessions, and even extend unheard-of generosity for the sake of the relationship. This is the way of selfless love.

At that time, Judea was occupied by the Roman military, and any Roman soldier had the legal right to command a Jew to carry his pack for one mile (v.41) – but only one mile. Jesus here calls His disciples, “Go beyond the one mile you must give, and give another mile freely out of love.” By doing this, we subvert an act of oppression with an act of loving-kindness. This is the way of selfless love.

Even, and perhaps especially, when we are approached for assistance by others who are in need, Jesus invites us to see that as an opportunity for generous love, and not something to be avoided at all costs. This is the way of selfless love.

Truly, this “Jesus Way” is the radical way of love!

Contemplation

Please take time to ponder what Jesus has commanded us. Turn one or more of these declarations over in your mind. Keep them in mind throughout the day and live in step with Your King, Jesus.

As a disciple of Jesus Christ:

• I will follow Him on the Way of selfless love.
• I will continue to reach out even to those who reject me.
• I will value people more than my possessions.
• I will go the extra mile to make other’s lives better today.
• I will give generously to those who need my help.

Holy Spirit of Love, empower me to keep in step with the Lord of Love and to live as a person of generous love. Amen.