Scripture: Matthew 5:9, 38-42
Journal: What is your first reaction to opposition? How do the words of the Scriptures today
speak to that? What is Jesus asking of
you? Who do you need to make peace with?
Reflection:
Jesus certainly has a way of turning things
upside down, in the most beautiful way possible. He constantly suggests that we upset the
dysfunctional balance of the world and, instead, act in unexpected and
life-giving ways. These verses are a
classic example of that. He names
situations that would normally cause us to react in anger and frustration, and
tells us to react in love and kindness instead.
That’s what life in his kingdom is all about. That’s what makes his kingdom so much
different than the kingdom of this world.
In his kingdom we do not fight evil with hostility and retaliation, we
fight it as he did, with love. He asks
us not to be defensive, reactive, and self-protective, but to be gracious and
generous and hopeful.
“Blessed are the
peacemakers,” he tells us, “for they will be called sons of God.” Those who are members of his kingdom will be
marked by peace and love. How can they
not be? For if we are his children, we
will look more and more like him each day.
And what beautiful lengths he went to in order to bring about peace,
whether it be turning a cheek, giving away a cloak, canceling a debt, or going
the extra mile. May we do the same.
Prayer
Closing
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help the first reaction of my soul
to all of the circumstances of this world to be one of love and not anger;
there’s way too much of that in the world already. But I realize, Jesus, that unless you put
that spirit of love in my heart, unless you build that reaction of peace within
my soul, it will simply not be there.
Only you can plant it within me.
O Jesus, give me your Spirit of love and peace. For your kingdom and your glory. Amen.
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