Search This Blog

Original Documents

Click below to see readings for the week:

Read Matthew 5:38-48


Read Matthew 5:38-48

Eye for Eye
38“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’1a 39But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.b 40And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.c
Love for Enemies
43“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor1a and hate your enemy.’b 44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,c 45that you may be childrend of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.e 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?f Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.g[1]

Think

You were created to be perfect!  Just as your heavenly Father is perfect.  But perfection is not being perfectly clever, or perfectly keeping a set of laws; it is about loving perfectly.  Loving friends and enemies alike.  It is what we were created for – so its not impossible.

Pray

Lord, thank you for loving me perfectly.  Grow your perfect love in my heart too I pray.
Amen


1 Exodus 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21
a Ex 21:24; Lev 24:20; Dt 19:21
b Lk 6:29; Ro 12:17,19; 1Pe 3:9
c Dt 15:8; Lk 6:30
1 Lev. 19:18
a Lev 19:18; Mt 19:19; 22:39; Mk 12:31; Lk 10:27; Ro 13:9; Gal 5:14; Jas 2:8
b Dt 23:6; Ps 139:21,22
c Lk 6:27,28; 23:34; Jn 15:20; Ac 7:60; Ro 8:35; 12:14; 1Co 4:12; 1Pe 2:23
d ver 9; Lk 6:35; S Ro 8:14
e Job 25:3
f Lk 6:32
g Lev 19:2; 1Pe 1:16
[1] The Holy Bible: Today’s New International Version. (2005). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

No comments:

Post a Comment