Matthew 5:38-48 – Jesus is in full revitalization of our thinking mode here. One of the significant components in the “Sermon on the Mount” is the stretch, the shift, Jesus teaches. He takes our practice that is good, and pulls us toward better. He takes our selfish and calls to selflessness. He takes our religion and turns it toward relationship. He takes our shack and lays the foundation for a mansion of glory, a better Temple of God.

Repeatedly he says, “you have heard that it was said…”. Here in this section in vv38-48 – he’s already done this 4x already, but 5 and 6 are where I was today. He is invoking Exodus 21, and Leviticus 24 and Deuteronomy 19. And YES those words of instruction in the Law are From God, but he is calling us to fuller context and greater application. Back in The Law God was blessing the Children of Israel, the descendants of Abram, but also in context, he was exacting Just Judgment on the people of Canaan. Jesus is also telling them to put their remembrance of commands into context. He calls them to Ex21:24, Lv24:20, Dt19:21 you have heard it said, an eye for an eye… But their practice had gone passed God’s intention.

• you heard… eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth v38
• you have heard… love your neighbors and hate your enemies v43

But I TELL YOU… i.e. go look again and read the whole thing, know the Character of God, the Plans of God, the Promises of God, The Possibilities with God.

• But I Tell you – he is not changing, he is explaining, reminding, returning them. The world was then and wants to be often now, an eye for an eye place right? v39 but I tell you don’t resist an evil doer or don’t set yourself against / retaliate – We fight the wrong battles or we take the right battles too far.
• if they slap the right cheek… turn the other
• take your shirt… give your coat
• v41 if anyone forces you to go a mile – so it was a common practice in these Roman controlled countries that a soldier on mission could enlist / command someone to carry their equipment for a mile while going from one assignment to another. Of course, they didn’t like being under Roman control, nor having to do their work, but Jesus said, when that happens… if someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two –
• Go – hypago = Go – (active, present, imperative 2nd person tense) you “YOU, YES YOU, MUST, NOW, GO with him Two.
• v44 – love your enemies … pray for your persecutor. So again, context. Yes you are told back in the Law to love your community members. And in Deuteronomy 23:6 they are told not to pursue Balaam’s welfare, as long as you live. Again, that was judgment on one who lied, deceived the people of God. But then in context God even instructs them NOT to take it out on the Edomites or the Egyptians, even saying that their descendants CAN seek the Lord in his House. Context is not exclusion but inclusion.

Why Be Extra Mile people in an eye for an eye world?

• v45 so that you may be children of your Father in Heaven – We are displaying the family, our progenitor, our Father. I used to tell my boys when they left the house, “don’t forget who you are and who we are.” Look like the family to which you belong.
• Love Spread to All tells a Gospel Story
• That extra mile may be the time when you get to tell WHY, and WHO.
• Sun and Rain produce a harvest. Perhaps seeds have been planted that you know nothing about, but you get to nurture. Maybe you are planting a seed and someone else will nurture and harvest.
• You are Better than that and You are BECOMING Better. He says Be Perfect – that word is teleios = perfect, mature, complete – being extra mile people helps us Grow up