Friday, December 03, 2010

Tactical Absurdity

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ “But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. “If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. “And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. “Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. (Matthew 5:38-42, NKJV).
Tactical Absurdity

In this next "you have heard - but I say" authoritative couplet from Jesus, we are confronted with what, on the surface, appear to be absurd directives. "Don't resist!" "Turn the other cheek!" "Be compliant!" How does that makes sense?

You mean to say that we are not to seek revenge, or defend ourselves, or fight litigation against us? When compelled to do something against our will, we are to exceed the minimum requirement? And when anyone asks for something, we are to comply, and to every borrower with his or her hand out we acquiesce? Isn't this a guaranteed recipe for being exploited, taken advantage of, and becoming a proverbial doormat? What of fighting a just war or defending our loved ones or standing up for oneself? How can this possibly fit in with living life in the world today?

Several points are worth getting out in the open here, with the first being that the Old Testament principle of having the punishment fit the crime ("An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.") was a revolutionary change from the normal "justice" meted out during that period in history. Typically, revenge or punishment far exceeded any given offense, along the lines of: "Then Lamech said to his wives: 'Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; Wives of Lamech, listen to my speech! For I have killed a man for wounding me, Even a young man for hurting me. If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, Then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.'" (Genesis 4:23, 24, NKJV).
Note also that Jesus is speaking against personal, not family or community retaliation. The "you" in each of His statements is singular, not plural. In other words, you (singular) are not to seek vengeance on behalf of yourself. Later on He will expand on this by telling us to “…love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 'that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.'" (Matthew 5:44, 45, NKJV).  The Apostle Paul echoes the same exhortation in Romans 12: "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse." (Romans 12:14, NKJV). At least three other Scriptures also align perfectly with this:

Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. (Romans 12:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:15; 1 Peter 3:9, NKJV).

I believe there are two good reasons for these commands: a) by not fighting evil with evil (something the world expects and applauds in large measure), we are a living testimony to the difference it makes to have Christ within us; and b) we stink badly at revenge. God promises to fight for us and to seek vengeance for the wrongs done to His children. And He will do it perfectly at the perfect time and in the perfect way. So by being noticeably different from what the world expects, and by trusting Him to be our rearguard and Protector, we are beacons of His radiance in the darkness. We "shine as lights in the world".

And make no mistake, living your life like this is a HUGE step of faith. It will likely go against every bone in your body and every synapse in your brain. Your flesh and pride will shriek in protest at being taken advantage of, or used, or abused. But Christ is our example, not our flesh or the world. And this is exactly what man did to Him - reviled, abused, disrespected, tortured and finally murdered the Lord of Glory. He willingly submitted it to it all because His purposes superseded ALL thought of self. When we are truly others-centered, and understand that we deserve nothing but death, suffering injustice for a higher calling is an insignificant price. Rather than any temporal compensation, the rewards are eternal.

That's the perspective Jesus is admonishing us to live by. Yet, how is this supposed to work in a pragmatic, every-day sense? Theoretically, I suppose if someone actually slapped me on the right cheek, I might possess the wherewithal to present to him my left, rather than either defend or retaliate, particularly if my evil assailant were larger than me and I was alone, but I'm not sure of my restraint in the face of a figurative slap on the face. You know, being slandered, or mocked, or verbally disrespected. My impulse would be to fight back with every resource at my disposal. But here's what I would miss if I took things into my own hands: an opportunity to exercise faith instead of my mouth, and to see the Lord work His justice in His timing. AND my adversary may be more impacted by my by not retaliating, rather than by my responding as expected.

Since we live in a litigious culture, people sue other people at the drop of the hat. But note carefully Jesus' words, "If anyone wants to sue you…". This is key I think, because in effect, it is a pre-emptive reaction, before things escalate and become official. Again it addresses doing the unexpected, and it speaks volumes about our putting someone else first, even an enemy.

In ancient Rome, a resident of a conquered land was legally required to carry whatever burden a Roman soldier placed on them for at least a thousand paces or eight stadia. Punishment for disobedience was severe, particularly in outlying areas of the Empire. Modern employers are often like Roman soldiers in that regard. In a sense, they own your time and talents, and often feel entitled to require you to work above and beyond what is considered normal. What is our response as a Christian? Do even more than asked. Do it even before being asked. Not for their sake, but for the Lord's, as in "…whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men," (Colossians 3:23, NKJV).
If someone in need asks us for something, we, as Christians, are to respond generously. Sometimes it might involve material goods or money. At others, time. Why? Because that is how our Lord treats us. By treating others the same way in His name for His glory (not ours), we are again witnessing to those around us that Christ makes a difference; a real difference. This same generosity applies to loaning our possessions to others. What are we to value more? The thing, or the person who asks for the thing?  We are to place our emphasis on a person rather than a possession. 

The Lord is not saying cast off all discernment or judgment, or to do any of these things legalistically or in knee-jerk reflex. That would contradict other exhortations to be discerning, to be a good steward, and to take action from the heart. But what He is saying is to be to others as He is to us; kind, forgiving, gracious, generous and humble. Remember this: YOU can't do it, but HE can through you.  And in abiding by this we will be following what He teaches later on in this gloriously counterintuitive Sermon on the Mount:

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; “but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matthew 6:19, 20, NKJV).