Smackdown

The religious leaders of Jesus’ had no problem with cursing an enemy or, for that matter, any fellow Jew who strayed too far from convention. Cursing was an accepted practice and most likely taught in the synagogues. It’s important to recognize that in order to understand just how radical Christ’s teaching came across: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” ~Matthew 5: 43,33 As we mentioned yesterday, this was not a new revelation. Treating enemies with kindness was a part of the Old Covenant. So, when Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said…Love your neighbor and hate your enemy…” he was likely referring to the current crop of teachers. They were the ones who had given a license to hate.

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This bit of teaching comes from what it is commonly referred to as the Sermon on the Mount. It feels more like the Smackdown on the Mount. If ever I get the slightest notion in my head than I am well above average in my spiritual achievements – perhaps a B+ Christian – I head back to the Mount. I’m reduced once more to the selfsame modesty of that crowd who was hearing it for the first time.