Don’t Get Mad; Get More Than Even!

Theme:  The power of God’s love makes for a better world and a better hereafter.   

Text: Luke 6:27-36  

Here’s a thought: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow advised, “If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we should find in each man’s life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility.” 

In “The Grace of Giving,” Stephen Olford tells of a Baptist pastor during the American Revolution, Peter Miller, who lived in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, and enjoyed the friendship of George Washington. In Ephrata also lived Michael Wittman, an evil-minded sort who did all he could to oppose and humiliate the pastor. 

One day Michael Wittman was arrested for treason and sentenced to die. Peter Miller travelled seventy miles on foot to Philadelphia to plead for the traitor's life. 

“No, Peter,” General Washington said. “I cannot grant you the life of your friend.” 

“My friend!” exclaimed the old preacher. “He’s the bitterest enemy I have.” 

“What?” cried Washington. “You’ve walked seventy miles to save the life of an enemy? That puts the matter in a different light. I’ll grant your pardon.” And he did. 

Peter Miller took Michael Wittman back home to Ephrata - no longer an enemy but a friend. 

Jesus speaks of a way that conquers evil, a way to get more than even when someone does you wrong in Luke 6:27-36: 

27 But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30 

Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32 If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even “sinners” love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even “sinners” do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even “sinners” lend to “sinners,” expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. NIV 

In a cruel world, we are called to: 

Take It (Luke 6:27-29) 

27 But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 

These verses sum up what are probably Jesus’ most discussed teachings. And no wonder - since it is one of the more difficult passages in the Bible. Not because it is so hard to understand but because it is so difficult to apply. When He taught people to love our enemies, He asked us to fly in the face of everything we are naturally inclined to do. The Golden Rule is not just a standard that requires us to avoid harming others. Many thoughtful people follow such a policy out of self-interest. It is a matter of living and letting live. By contrast, the Golden Rule obligates us to do positive good to everyone we can, even to our enemies. 

Phil asked his buddy, “Aren’t you rather warm doing your painting all bundled up like that?” 

Bill replied, “Well, it says right here on the paint can to be sure to put on three coats.” 

The tunic Jesus referred to was an inner garment worn next to the skin. It usually had sleeves and reached to the knees, though sometimes to the ankles. 

In today’s language, Jesus said, if someone takes your shirt, give him your 

underwear also – leaving you naked, vulnerable and exposed! He was not advocating streaking, but Jesus was saying we should not be concerned about personal injuries and insults, whether of a physical kind or any other. To be struck in the face is humiliating and insulting. But an insult can be given in many ways. It can be done with the tongue or by a look. Our Lord desires to produce in us a spirit that does not take offence easily at such things, which does not seek retaliation. He wants us to grow so we are indifferent to self and self-esteem. 

The Apostle Paul expands on this in Romans 12:17-21: 

17 Do not [repay] anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. NIV 

The Lord calls us not to be wimps but to “take it like a grown-up.” There is too much hatred and violence running rampant in this world. Christ is calling us to let it end with us. As we take the moral high road with those who seek to wrong us, His name will be made famous, and people will sit up and notice. 

American poet and educator Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) wisely advised, “If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we should find in each man’s life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility.” 

Who has wronged you? Does someone come to mind immediately? Have you already, or are you planning ways to get this person back? This pattern of thinking does not originate with Christ. He is asking us to call out to Him for the ability to take it and love that person in return. 

In a cruel world, we are called to: 

Take It (Luke 6:27-29) 

and 

Give It (Luke 6:30-31) 

30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. 

The Golden Rule, “Do to others as you would have them do to you,” was probably a proverbial expression known amongst the Jews of that day. Their collection of ancient teachings, the Talmud, uses this expression. 

Love stands at the heart of the Golden Rule. The New Testament's original language - Greek - is more expressive than English. At least three or four words, each with a different shade of meaning, are used to express the idea of love. Eros (“Erotic” comes from this word) means the physical love between a man and woman, sexual love. Philia (Philadelphia comes from this word) is the warm affection of friendship. The word used here, agape, means intelligent goodwill toward another. 

Eros is essentially a selfish love, one that seeks self-gratification through another. Philia, the love of friendship, is directed toward an attractive or lovable person. By contrast, agape may be directed deliberately toward one who is undeserving and even repulsive. It seeks intelligently to work for his good, even when those efforts are rejected. 

Because eros and philia originate in emotions, they cannot be commanded. But agape originates in the will, so God can command us to love our enemies, even though this goes contrary to our selfish instincts. “Hate your enemies,” the world says. Or, as many would counsel, “Don't get mad; get even.” 

Jesus’ words must have sent a shock wave through His audience. Some, no doubt, refused to believe their ears. Others began to rationalize away the radical aspects of what He said. Not only are we supposed to take it (some interpret this as “tolerate it”), we are supposed to give it. Love that originates in the heart of God not only envelopes evil with good, it proactively seeks to benefit the one who does not deserve it. Why would any dirty, rotten, selfish scoundrel be worthy of acts of kindness done for them or words of kindness said to them? Such a jerk would not be, but this is precisely the kind of mercy and grace our Heavenly Father has shown us. The more we realize how sinful and deceitful we are apart from Christ, the more we can appreciate His love and the kind of love He asks us to extend to others. 

A doctor was fuming when he finally reached his table at a banquet after breaking away from a woman who sought his advice on a health problem. “Do you think I should send her a bill?” he asked a lawyer beside him. 

“Why not?” the lawyer replied. “You rendered professional services by giving advice.” 

“Thanks,” the physician said. “I think I’ll do that.” 

When the doctor went to his office the next day to send a bill to the annoying woman, he found a statement from the lawyer. It read, “For legal services, 

$100.00.” 

Does this mean an irresponsible person who doesn’t know how to budget their way out of a wet paper bag and skips from job to job can repeatedly knock on your door and ask for handouts? I don’t think so. Let’s remember to consider the whole of Scripture when considering moral choices. Jesus’ point is not contradictory but complementary to the Apostle Paul’s injunction in 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13: 

6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, labouring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” 11 We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. 13 And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. NIV 

Jesus’ teaching on the Golden Rule does not mean we facilitate or reinforce irresponsible behaviour. It does mean, however, that we extend to people the benefit of the doubt and do all we can to help them with their needs (not wants). 

Are there needs you are aware of that you are in a position to meet, and you have been ignoring or postponing them? As we draw closer to Jesus Christ, allowing Him to change our hearts, we become more generous. May we, as followers of Jesus, be known as giving people. 

In a cruel world, we are called to: 

Take It (Luke 6:27-29) 

Give It (Luke 6:30-31) 

and 

Bank It (Luke 6:32-36) 

32 If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even “sinners” love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, 

what credit is that to you? Even “sinners” do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even “sinners” lend to “sinners,” expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. 

Jesus established an ethic that called His followers to go beyond the conventional. After all, even sinners love those who love them. What special credit does one deserve for doing a good deed for those who will return the good deed? People who practice such conventional morality are likely to feel good about their actions, but they can feel good only because they compare themselves with others. This changes dramatically when they compare themselves with the standard Christ set. 

Jesus concluded this portion of His sermon by giving the primary reason for setting such high standards for His followers. These standards reflect the way God acts. Because God is “kind to the ungrateful and wicked,” we should also be. We are to be merciful just as our Heavenly Father is merciful. This kind of conduct marks us as sons and daughters of the Most High. 

The attitudes, actions and words that Christ describes appear to our culture and to our way of logic to be a meagre and miserable existence, a way of life that is to be pitied by all. On the contrary! The secret to happiness is to give up pursuing self-gratification. Once we get our eyes off the injustices we have suffered at the hands of others, we are free to enjoy the incredible love of God. 

Practicing the ways of Christ will reap for us not only a sense of fulfilment here and now deeper than what we ever dreamed, but this investment will reap an eternal retirement plan that makes any other pale in comparison. Jesus lived this out and lifted the curtain on His approach to life in John 4:31-38: 

31 Meanwhile his [Jesus’] disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.” 32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” 33 Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?” 34 “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. 35 Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. 36 Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. 37 Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. 38 I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labour.” NIV 

How is your retirement savings plan doing? I am not talking about mutual funds or GICs. I am talking about living our lives in such a way that the values of eternity shape how we determine our priorities, our roles and our responses in a world that is not friendly to the practices of Christ. As we do this, we build 

our investment in an eternal reward in heaven. 

Roger Austin shares this story in “I'd Like to Die, But I've Got Stuff to Do: Helpful Hints for Victorious Living”: 

Richard Weaver, a follower of Jesus, earned his living in the mines. However, he had the higher priority of trying to bring his associates in contact with the Saviour and His soul-restoring Word. While most men were indifferent, one became offended by his witness and finally exclaimed, “I’m sick of your constant preaching. I have a good mind to smack you in the face!” 

“Go ahead if it will make you feel better,” replied Weaver. The man immediately struck him with a stinging blow. Weaver did not retaliate but turned the other cheek. The unbeliever struck him again and then walked away, cursing. 

Weaver called after him, “I forgive you, and still pray that the Lord will save you!” 

His assailant was waiting for him the following day when he came to work. “Oh, Dick,” he said, his voice filled with emotion, “do you really forgive me for what I did yesterday?” 

“Certainly,” said Weaver extending his hand. As he told him the message of salvation again, God opened this man’s heart, and he received Christ. 

In a cruel world, we are called to: 

Take It 

Give It 

and 

Bank It 

The power of God’s love makes for a better world and a better hereafter.