This weekend has been a time of disbelief, indignation, and
apologetic words after the latest incident of genuine hatred and lack of
compassion on the part of one of our nation’s leaders.* As the sun rises on this Monday morning
(Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the United States), I would like to challenge
the global community to move beyond indignation and apology to action!
But don’t be so quick to march, debate or sign a
petition; although there will be plenty of time for that. Instead I want to
point you to another response that is equally revolutionary but seldom taken.
 |
Photo credit: Painting by Horton Young
|
It is the response Jesus led out with as he began his
public service. When he walked up that dusty hill and delivered the Sermon on
the Mount, Jesus overturned all common understanding of how to respond to
injustice and hatred. His sermon introduced to His generation (and every subsequent
one) a new world order. A Kingdom based on humility, love, service and justice.
All around Him was hate, ignorance, prejudice and scorn.
I’m sure this broke Jesus’ heart and I’m so glad that he attacked it head-on. But
what form did his action take? He started his address with the Beatitudes, a blessing
for those the world had rejected, and went on to provide a revolutionary reframing
of the Christian life. The sermon is not a resigned whimper but an invitation
to live victoriously even as the forces of evil continued to oppress and
persecute. In this sermon Jesus says many things, but I want to highlight two:
“God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.”
(Matt. 5:4)
“But I say, do not resist an evil person!
If someone slaps you on the right cheek,
offer the other cheek also.” (Matthew 5:39)
If someone slaps you on the right cheek,
offer the other cheek also.” (Matthew 5:39)
Jesus was bringing in a Kingdom that would right the
wrongs done by evil actors on the world’s stage. But He proposed doing so with
a power far greater than anger, violence and human strategy. He proposed to do it
with love. First, he honors those who have been taken advantage of and removes
their shame. Then he offers the evil ones “the other cheek,” and in so doing sucks
all the power from their hateful hands and takes control; positioning His
followers to lead out in love.
 |
| Photo credit: picturequotes.com |
On this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I would like to commend that
we take a similar approach in response to the hate-filled words we heard last
week. Let us start our response with a posture of love and blessing; just as
Jesus did in the Sermon on the Mount. Then let us love our enemies as Jesus
commanded and as Martin Luther King Jr. modeled when he said, “Darkness cannot
drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only
love can do that.”
And as we do that, I think we will find that Jesus will mold our
responses to match His character and priorities. Instead of trying to seek
justice in our own power, will we find ways to turn our cheeks at evil’s blows?
And as we offer our cheek and respond in love, we will be
victorious. But that victory only comes if we play by Jesus’ rules . . . the
rules he put down in the Sermon on the Mount. Before you tweet, post, debate,
or march, please read His upside-down manifesto and consider how your leader,
Jesus, would have you respond.
*There has been debate about what was said in the meeting in the White House. I tend to believe those who are reporting the profanity used, but since I was not in the room and there is dispute, I am willing to admit that there is some question. However, what has been reported is fully in line with a well documented pattern of thought, words and actions which make it hard not to believe and which validates the theme of this article.
*There has been debate about what was said in the meeting in the White House. I tend to believe those who are reporting the profanity used, but since I was not in the room and there is dispute, I am willing to admit that there is some question. However, what has been reported is fully in line with a well documented pattern of thought, words and actions which make it hard not to believe and which validates the theme of this article.
Comments