Passage of the Day:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[h] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you, Matthew 5:38-42.
Reflection:
The Sermon on the Mount summarized in Matthew 5-7 reminds me of the Book of Proverbs. Within each passage written by King Solomon, there are nuggets of spiritual truth to extract. When I read these 3 chapters of the Bible, there are tangible acts of faith that serve as goals for each day. As Matthew appeals to Jewish listeners by quoting the Old Testament, Jesus is trying to modernize the teachings of Moses. Rather than seek revenge, Jesus uses the expression going the extra mile to become forgiving servants who emulate God’s character and nature.
Prayerful Action:
Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. 23 Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, 24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to, Luke 13:22-24.
Learning to Love this December as God Forgives You:
Luke once again uses portions of the Sermon on the Mount scattered throughout his gospel. While Matthew records Jesus’ entire speech, Luke discovered that Jesus weaved these spiritual nuggets into everyday conversations. As first century Christians grew concerned over their eternal destiny, Jesus pointed the spiritually curious in the right direction. As someone who is about to begin their 40th year working on earth, many people do just enough to get by. However, as Christians seek to go the extra mile, above and beyond what is expected like the good Samaritan, you will find yourself following the straight and narrow as Jesus suggested. Love goes the extra mile.
Song of the Day:
Final Thoughts:
Jesus didn’t just give advice to first century Christians. Jesus led by example, going above and beyond what human beings expect or can process mentally. When love is present in your life, the Holy Spirit will move you to go the extra mile for others.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 