Trading Eyes and Teeth
It is amazing how quickly children learn the word, “Mine.” Most parents aren’t eager to pass that word along, but kids pick it up, nonetheless. And years later, as adults, most of us just as quickly shout “Mine!” if we need to protect what is ours. We cling to what is ours, whether it is our possessions, or our status, or our bank account. Rarely do we find ourselves as passionate as we become when someone threatens to take something that belongs to us. We become empowered to fight, argue, go to court, and cut off relationships.
In Matthew 5:38-42 Jesus address this instinct to protect what belongs to us. And in the passage Jesus’ words are surprising in two ways. First of all, he surprises us because he doesn’t validate these seemingly natural desires to protect ourselves. Second of all, he surprises us because he doesn’t simply tell us to stuff our selfish desires so that we can be kind to others. His response is not only surprising, but it is liberating.
Dan Franklin
Teaching Pastor
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