Living Jesus' Teaching #3

In this ongoing series of blogs, I will put up a section of the Sermon on the Mount and ask you to simply imagine what our organization would look like if we truly lived it out. I recently did this as an exercise at a staff retreat and it went pretty well. This is not meant to be an in-depth study of the text. We did that in previous blogs, click here for those ( http://chdevotions.blogspot.com/2007_07_01_archive.html ). So just read the passage and ask what your serving (not your co-workers) would look like if you truly lived out Christ’s words. Then what would Christian Horizons look like if we all truly lived them out together. Please feel free to submit comments.

Matthew 5:38-48 (NIV)


38 "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'
39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.
41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45 that you may be sons 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.
46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Imagine what my ministry would be like if I always turned the other cheek or walked the extra mile. Imagine if our whole organization was known for that. Imagine if we all gave respect to our co-workers, neighbors and community members (and of course the people we support) whether or not they returned it. I have heard many times from staff, “I will treat them (usually a co-worker) with respect when they respect me!”. Jesus says to Love our enemies. I am glad that when I was an enemy of God he loved me. Now I will try to be perfect as He is perfect.

Mark Wallace