Unattached...

I’ve spent four days reading the passage of Matthew 5:38-42, where Jesus talks about retaliation. I’ve come to understand a few things and I would like to share. I don’t know about you, but when I have been wronged by someone, my first reaction is to get even! The natural reaction is to start thinking of a list of ways to get back at someone. It should not be a priority for us to tally up and keep score. Instead, Jesus is telling us to do good to those who wrong us and we need to learn how to love and forgive. This can be a very difficult thing and feel very unnatural. It really is not natural. It’s more supernatural because only God can give us the strength to love others as he loves us. In this passage, Jesus is telling us that our main desire should not to retaliate but to be UNATTACHED. What do I mean by unattached? Let me break it down for you…

In verse 39a, “But I tell you, do not resist an evil person.” Here, Jesus is asking us to be unattached to self. We are to resist evil. However, when evil is against us, we are to counter evil with good. There have been many instances when the young kids hurl insults on me, whether right to my face or behind my back. My first reaction is hurt and confusion. I could have insulted these kids back to “teach them a lesson,” but I don’t. Instead, I’ve chosen to say positive things to and about them. I give the kids examples of how they would like to be treated by others, so they should do the same. And I still spend time with them regardless of how they treat me.

In verse 39b, “If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” Here, Jesus is asking us to be unattached to dignity. Our pride is what makes us desire to rise to the top and to make a good impression on others. Rather, we should be humble. As many of you know, I could have been a professional golfer. That is what people expected of me. Because I responded to the calling of God into ministry and my current employments, there are people who are perplexed to my choice in life. I admit, there are times when I feel a sense of jealousy for my friends who are on the professional tour these days because I know I could be right up there with them. I aim not to be concerned with the impression I make with people, but to do what is good. When people offend me in my choices, I turn to my other cheek and turn to God for his view of my dignity.

In verse 40, “And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.” Here, Jesus is asking us to be unattached to things. We live in a world that is so obsessed and attached to possessions. We should realize that our earthly possessions are only temporary. What we store up here on earth will not lead us to eternity. I’m not saying that we can’t have things, but rather we should not let it get in the way of our discipleship. I’m a neat freak and everything I own is pretty tidy. I worry teenagers will make a mess in my car or in my apartment. Sometimes I don’t even trust them for the fear of stealing or damaging things. But, you know what? It really doesn’t matter because what I have here on earth does not lead me to eternity. I would rather fight in making that personal sacrifice so that the teenagers will see the love of Jesus in their lives.

In verse 41, “If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.” Here, Jesus is asking us to be unattached to time. For most people, time is very scarce and we must always figure out how to balance our responsibilities. We only have 24 hours a day, no more or less. We are to spend our time for kingdom purposes and that means we are to spend it for others. My schedule is very busy and I sometimes get too focused on getting things done rather than focusing on building up an eternal kingdom. A good example of this is that I sometimes would use my lunch time to get some work done so that I could have that extra half hour of watching television at night. Instead, I am reminded that my time spent with the teenagers during lunch period is much more valuable than my time spent watching television. It is relationships that determine results.

Today, ask yourself where you struggle with the most. It may be one or all of the four. It’s okay. Seek God and he will show you the way in what you should do. God is calling us to do great things in our times spent on earth. Let us do all we can to store up heavenly treasures as we live here on earth. Let’s become a better person and go against what is considered “normal” in today’s society. Jesus stood out in His life because he contradicted what people thought was right. We, too, can stand out and be more like Jesus. Let our ordinary lives be given over to God so that he can make it something extraordinary! Amen?