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The Jesus Challenge!

Matthew 5:42
"Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away."

Here in the Gospel of Matthew Jesus's teaching is VERY CHALLENGING! From turn the other cheek where Jesus tells us to offer yourself for more of what you just got! Jesus adds on to this lesson with; if they take your jacket, give them the shirt off your back too! And, if someone can compel you to carry their load for one mile; go an extra mile, too!

Today's verse continues the theme saying; don't turn away people looking to borrow from you or needing your help. All of these teachings rub the selfish sinners (you and me) the wrong way. This is a radical idea that you are not obligated to take revenge. We don't want to use the Holy Scriptures to take advantage of a situation. Christianity is not about getting advantage over another. It is about sacrifice to another.

If we can grow in our understanding that as Christians our concern is not toward the things of THIS world. Our eyes need to be on HEAVEN. We still need to defend ourselves and others from the evil of the world. For example; a mother must defend her child from a wild dog. This wicked world will seek to take advantage of others, especially weaker others. Don't let evil run roughshod over people. God does call His people to maintain order and good. To exercise good stewardship over their areas of responsibility. All of this will take extra effort from you and me. We do want to serve and honors God, always. This is something we need to decide on ahead of time. We can plan to follow Jesus's example. 
Amen.

Some of my notes and insights for this lesson come from the outstanding discussion on this Issues Etc podcast... https://issuesetc.org/2016/12/02/3373-martin-luther-and-the-reformation-part-45-luthers-treatment-of-the-sermon-on-the-mount-matthew-538-42-dr-ken-schurb-12216/
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