Re:Verse passage – Matthew 5:33-48 (day four)
We started this series a few weeks ago by looking at the beatitudes. When we hear things like, “Blessed are the gentle,” “Blessed are the merciful,” or “Blessed are the peacemakers,” that sounds nice to our ears. But here is where the rubber meets the road. The command to turn the other cheek, to go the extra mile, to prayer for those who persecute us – these all serve big hits to our pride. They go entirely against the culture that surrounds us and influences us.
I’ve noticed that it’s one thing to treat a stranger in this way, or to be graceful and merciful to an acquaintance, but it is much harder to live this kind of life when it comes to family or the people closest to me. Sometimes the ones closest to us can quickly take on the title of enemy, as wounds from them hurt even deeper. When a family member offends me, it is a much bigger hit to my pride to turn the other cheek than if a stranger said something hurtful. It is in these close relationships that our ability to show patience, mercy, or grace is pushed to the limits. But it’s at these limits that the Spirit meets us, grows in us, and causes us to look more like Christ.
If you find you’re at your limit, look for the Spirit. Through him, this kind of Kingdom living is possible.