Matthew 5:38-42 | A Command Greater Than Non-Violence

Jesus’ instruction on violence and disparate social power structures is challenging. His teaching isn’t challenging because his words are hard to understand, but because his teaching is clear - and our hearts want nothing to do with it. Jesus is inviting us to remember the True Story of God - and to let it radically redefine our response to the world. He teaches us a new way, a Gospel Way, to bring peace to otherwise violent or volatile situations. The Story of God warms our hearts to this hard teaching, because it reminds us that we were loved and ransomed, even while we ourselves were violently rebelling against God - and yet God, through Christ brought peace to a world of undeserving sinners like you and I.