BE COUNTERINTUITIVE TOWARDS YOUR ENEMY

The 7th Sunday after Epiphany – February 20th, 2011

Matthew 5:38-48

The Savior’s sermon is full of spiritual truths that are somewhat counterintuitive. It is
counterintuitive that we consider ourselves to be “blessed” in the many detrimental conditions that are
listed in the Beatitudes, and nonetheless, that is exactly what Jesus calls us – “Blessed,” because, as his
disciples, we have been brought to a knowledge of our salvation in the One and Only Son who came from
the Father full of grace and truth. The introduction to the sermon presented some rather counterintuitive
thoughts. But because they came from the lips of our Savior, we treasure them on a higher level than our
intuition.
The same is true of the sermon’s theme. It is rather counterintuitive for us to strive to stand out
like salt and light, and nonetheless that is exactly what Jesus calls us to do in our Christian living – not to
blend in and behave like the non-Christian, but to stand out and be different so that our unique Christian
lives support the unique Christian faith that, in and of itself, stands out like a sore thumb among all the
generic work-righteous / moralistic religions of our world.
The pattern of Christ’s encouragement to be counterintuitive as his disciples is, in my opinion,
most evident in the verses that are before us today. How does the Christian behave towards those who
are “enemies”? Do we follow the pattern of the world, working adamantly to get the enemy before they
get us? Do we conform to the pitiful sinful intuition to get even, to settle the score as if we were in some
kind of competition to retain our pride?
Remember that as Christ’s disciples, we are “blessed” and are called to be salt and light, to be
different from the world in our actions, which even applies to the treatment of those who stand against
the truth of Scripture and against those who hold to the truth of the Christian confession. We are to be
counterintuitive towards the enemy – reformed in reaction and unqualified in love.

I. Reformed in reaction

Firstly, Jesus deals with our reactions to the assaults of our enemies. Again, remember that he is
calling us to be counterintuitive – to go against our human intuition of revenge to exhibit and a strong
“softness” that shows that we belong to the humble, meek, servant, Jesus:
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, Do not resist
an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. It’s rather
counterintuitive for us to be so recklessly generous, so recklessly naïve that we offer to our enemy an
opportunity for abuse. Doesn’t that seem odd?
Our intuition says, “get even!” Our intuition says, “Get our enemies before they get us and hurt
them worse than they could possibly hurt us.” Unfortunately, that human intuition is as far from
godliness as the east is from the west. But that principle of “getting even” was exactly how the Jewish
leaders were presenting the “eye for an eye” passage from Deuteronomy 19, planting into the Biblical soil
the seed of human reason, thus poisoning the divinely intended meaning of the Torah. Instead of
upholding the true meaning that crimes in the Israelite community deserved a fair punishment, the “eye
for an eye” passage was used by the Jewish leaders as ground for all kinds of vigilante behavior.
 Jesus’ disciples are called to be different. As we look at verse 39 specifically, we can’t help but
think ahead from the mountain where Jesus is teaching his disciples to the night that Jesus was betrayed
– how he offered his cheek to the one who would strike it, how he offered his body over to abuse, to
beating, to all kinds of unthinkable and unspeakable violence, how he stood in the center of his enemies
and not once lashed out to “get them before they got him.” What strong softness, softness in the midst of
the Jewish officials who wished to do away with him, softness in the midst of his crucifiers, asking
forgiveness for their ignorance in nailing the Lord of glory to the tree, softness even as the shadow of
death drew near, not once promising revenge on the cross – but instead promising paradise to the faith-
filled thief; not once promising to get even, but instead willingly and lovingly satisfying the demands of
the law and its curse with his death, so that we are exonerated from the charges against us and saved
from the eternal punishments that we so surely deserve.
Such selfless sacrifice clarifies that the spirit of grudging recompense and quick revenge is far
from the heart of God. It’s not okay for Christ’s disciples to act like the unbelieving world, or to mix into
the soil of Holy Scripture the seed of natural human instinct, like the Jewish officials did in Jesus’ day. We
are to be salt and light, different from the world, and that includes the way that we approach those who
are our enemies. If holding on to the firm truth that Jesus is the only way to heaven invites abuse, if it
creates enemies for us, and offers to our enemies an opportunity to take advantage of us, then so be it!
For we are “blessed” in Christ Jesus. To flirt with the natural instinct of revenge is to flirt with damnation.
To be recklessly generous and willing to be abused for the sake of the gospel, to be counterintuitive with
the enemy, to be reformed in our reactions by the words and deeds of Jesus, is to be salt and light – and
thus a disciple that stands out with a unique life and a unique confession of faith that even gives the
enemy a chance to “see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

II. Unqualified in love

Jesus continues his instruction to his disciples: “43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your
neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute
you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good,
and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will
you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you
doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is
perfect.”
Again, this is quite counterintuitive for us. We see in verse 43 that the disciples were hearing from
their religious officials that they should “hate their enemy.” The human instinct to limit who we love to a
certain group of people, that instinct is found wherever sinners are found. We love to qualify who is
deserving of our love – those who agree with us, those who do nice things for us, those who we benefit
from, those that we spend the most time with, really anyone that has proven themselves worthy of our
love – and when I say “love,” I’m talking specifically about the kind of Christian love that seeks the eternal
salvation of another.
With urgency, Jesus commands us to be unqualified in love, for that is the way that God the Father
acts each and every day, and that same lack of qualification in extending saving love is clearly evident in
the plan to save the world from sin through Jesus and his atoning sacrifice.
Every day, rain falls, sun shines, crops grow, provisions are made for the whole world. Daily
bread, which we pray for in the Lord’s prayer is given to people throughout the world, not just believers.
Abundant provisions are given from the hand of the Almighty even to those who confess with their lips in
that fateful foolish way, “There is no God.” Yet, God provides for them, doesn’t he?
To take it one step further, the sinner is the natural enemy of God. And yet in unqualified love,
God chose not to destroy this fallen world. He spoke to Ezekiel, chapter 33:11, 11 ‘As surely as I live,
declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from
their ways and live.” Instead of destroying his enemies, God “loved the world” by sending his Son into the
world, not to condemn the world, St. John tells us, but to save the world through him. If God placed
qualification on our salvation, not one of us would enter eternal glory, and that’s a fact. His love towards
mankind, towards you was unqualified and uncompromised, so that each one of us, born and living in a
state of sinfulness, may be shown divine mercy in the face of Christ Jesus, despite our unworthiness to
receive that mercy!
The extension of that mercy is that our love is to be unqualified, and yes, that is counterintuitive.
We always want to put stipulations on kindness and mercy. But remember that we are salt, we are light,
and we are instructed to be different. St. Paul offers us this counsel in Romans 12: “17 Do not repay
anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it
depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s
wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your
enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap
burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Overcome evil with good. I’m not sure if there is anything that is more counterintuitive to the
sinful nature. Yet that is our calling as Christ’s blessed disciples. May it never be our goal to “get even”
or to “settle the score” with the enemy. Be counterintuitive! For with every enemy comes a wonderful
opportunity to shine the light of Christ’s love that offers the Spirit a chance to turn an enemy into a
brother or sister in faith. Amen.