Really?

Really?

Is that what I'm supposed to do?

This year's LTC theme is "The Extra Mile." It comes from Matthew 5, part of Jesus's Sermon on the Mount. Here are some of the verses surrounding it:
You have heard, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" but I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. Matthew 5:38-41

So, our puppet scripts are all about going the extra mile, our short film was all about it, etc. etc. but I wonder how much I've really taken this to heart. Was Jesus speaking literally? Only figuratively? Am I really supposed to turn the other cheek? Because the expected result would be that I'm slapped again. What about "Fool me once..." Does that make any sense? Did Jesus say it would make sense?

We have told the LTC kids that back in Jesus's day, the Romans could literally force a Jewish person to carry their gear for a mile, but not further. Jesus was telling them to walk an extra mile. Did anyone actually do that? I mean, were there really Roman soldiers saying things like, "Why would you walk more than you have to?" or "You Christians are so stupid, but I don't care- you're carrying my gear!"?

Were there people who were sued for something and then gave more than the judge demanded? Really? Did Jesus really expect them to do this? Does he really expect you to do this? And me?

We live in a world that is all about rights. Equal rights. Stand up for your rights. Fight for your rights. Die for your rights.

Do I hear Jesus saying in these verses that I am to set aside my rights? Do I hear him saying that there is something more important than my individual rights? How can that make any sense at all?

I Corinthians 1:27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

I Corinthians 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight.

Hmmmm.... could it be that while it may appear foolish to the world (laying down my rights), that it is indeed what God is asking of me?

And that the wisdom of the world (stand up for my rights) is actually seen by God as foolishness?

Wow. And looking back at 1:27. That verse says that those being used by God will be seen by the world as weak and foolish. Wow. Am I ready to be used that way?

If I follow what Jesus says, then yes. But, how? Do I wait to be slapped? or sued? or asked for something? I guess those happen often enough (Ok, I've never been slapped or sued).

What about giving to someone? These days we seem to be very concerned with people deserving what we give them. Why? Was Jesus? Do I deserve what he gave me? That's a pretty obvious no.

So, does someone have to be deserving in any way for us to treat them the way he asks? It doesn't appear so to me...

So, really?

What do I do if someone cuts in front of me in traffic. And by this, I mean, we've all moved over to the one lane that's open ahead and a car zooms by everyone waiting in line and then expects to be let in right before the lane closure- traffic. How do I respond?

What do I do if the waitress or clerk isn't as fast with service as I had hoped? or makes a mistake? or is purposely rude? (I mean, isn't that not even nearly as bad as being sued? And yet we seem to take rude behavior as an immediate call to action.)

What do I do if someone spreads rumors about me? or steals from me? or says something unkind to me?

Or a co-worker takes credit for something that I've done? or blames me for something that I didn't do?

Or if a spouse fails miserably? or maybe just forgets to clean the counter? or a best friend disappoints you? or a child?

What if an ex-spouse doesn't send the child support? or ruins plans? or breaks promises?

What action does Jesus call me to?

What action was he called to? Jesus laid down his rights for the world. For me. For my sins.

Yes, I know the story of the temple and the whip- that's for me to write about some other time- he was not defending his personal rights. I don't see where Jesus ever defended his personal rights. I only see him setting them aside for a higher purpose.

Is that what he's asking me to do? Set aside my rights for a higher purpose?

And what was it that he said was the greatest command? And the second?

Is that what I'm supposed to do?

Really?