April 17, 2011 "Follow the Leader"

MATTHEW 5:33-48                                                                                   APRIL 17, 2011

                                                                            

“FOLLOW THE LEADER”

Many adults are playing the game “follow the leader” without realizing the implications and consequences of following the crowd. It is not always easy to discern to whom one should give allegiance. Following Jesus on the day he entered Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover would have been easy and a fun filled day, in which everyone was praising God and waving palm branches. Yet following Jesus five days later when he was arrested required a greater commitment. The church has always been plagued with insincere followers, who desire cheap grace. Cheap grace is when one wants the benefit of being forgiven for one’s sins without actually living in obedience to the will of God. It is much easier to talk about love and forgiveness without actually having to forgive others and “turn the other cheek”. This passage in Matthew 5 lays out how Jesus expects his followers to act and react.

The swearing of oaths to verify the truth of your words was standard daily practice in the days of Jesus. As always the Pharisees had developed an elaborate guide in making either positive or negative vows. The Old Testament permitted people to make an oath using the name of God to indicate your sincerity and commitment.  People began to swear an oath that allowed a bit more freedom to fudge just a little. They would say, “I swear by heaven” or “I swear by the earth”. These oaths were not seen to be as binding as swearing by the name of God.

Matthew 5:33-37 (NIV) ³³ "Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' ³⁴ But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; ³⁵ or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. ³⁶ And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. ³⁷ Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” Christians are to be men and women who are truthful at all times. We should be known for speaking the truth without needing to make an oath declaring our truthfulness. It has been my sad experience when I’ve ridden with law enforcement to discover that when someone says “I swear to God”; every single time the person has been lying. Satan loves it when we “feel” that we need to declare that this time we are telling the truth. God holds us accountable for every word. Jesus said in Matthew 12:36-37 (NIV) “³⁶ But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. ³⁷ For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."

One of the hard lessons of growing up is to realize that life is not fair. Every human desires justice to be fair and impartial by what ever governing authority is in charge. God established governments to protect their citizens and to punish wrongdoers. Yet the harsh reality is that in this life Christians will encounter those who will not be fair or honest and will seek only what is in their best interest. How are we to respond? The Old Testament standard of fairness was found in “an eye for an eye, and tooth for tooth”. Understand that most societies would often provide punishment that did not fit the crime, so that the biblical standard was a step forward. Yet Jesus asks us to go even further. Matthew 5:38-42 (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.”

It was an insult when someone struck another person on the cheek. It was similar to the old movies where an offended person would use a glove to strike another on the cheek. Jesus demands that we not take offense when insulted and we are called to not retaliate at all. Roman soldiers would force civilians to make and repair roads or to carry loads down the road. Jesus says basically to not be offended but to go the extra mile as a kindness, instead of being forced. When people are seeking to cheat us Jesus says to give them even more. In living like this we will be responding like our Heavenly Father who continues to give even when we will fail to even say thank you to God for what He has already provided for us. When we return good for evil we are reflecting the love of God. God will judge those who continue to do wrong. They will be held accountable.

Living for Christ means changing how we respond to those who are our enemies. From the Message, “You’re familiar with the old written law, “love you friend, and its unwritten companion, Hate your enemy. I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best – the sun to warm and the rain to nourish – to everyone, regardless: the good and the bad, the nice and the nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run of the mill sinner does that. In a word, what I’m saying is Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”

As Christians we understand what most in this world refuse to believe. God is real and He has sent his son to save us from the coming judgment. Because of our belief we are called to live differently. We are to follow our Leader who set us the example of how to really live. We are called to show love even to our enemies, not to condemn them but to respond in love. God hates the sin, but loves the sinner. We are called to do the same. 2 Peter 3:9-13 (NIV) “⁹ The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. ¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. ¹¹ Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives ¹² as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. ¹³ But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.”

We will never be perfect in this life. Yet we must not allow our human failings to be used as an excuse for not seeking to live by Christ’s example. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV), “²¹ God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” We are righteous before God because of our faith in Jesus Christ. May we follow our Lord Jesus, wherever He leads. It is time for the church to follow Jesus.

Let us pray.