Sixth Sunday After Epiphany (Series A)
February 23rd, 2014
Gospel: Matthew 5:38-48
Epistle: 1 Cor 3:10-23
Lesson: Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18
Psalm: Psalm 119:33-40
CLB Commentary – Dr. David Veum
Christ calls us in this passage to the Law of Love and gives very practical examples of what this looks like. We are to turn the other cheek when struck instead of retaliating. We are to turn from protecting our own rights. Even when Roman soldiers compelled one to carry their baggage for a mile—which they could do by law—the Christian gladly carries it a second mile. Christians give up rights to their possessions and pray for those who persecute them. They are to be perfect— morally complete—just as their Heavenly Father.
But who can do this? Only Christ. He turned the other cheek when he was reviled. He readily gave up his cloak as they tore it off his back and threw dice to keep it. Compelled to carry his cross he went more than the lawful mile; he carried the sins of the world into the depths of eternal hell.
In the novel, Ben Hur, the Jew by that name develops a deep hatred of the Romans. He was betrayed by his Roman friend, Messala, arrested, and sold as a galley slave. With every forced stroke of his oar, his bitterness and desire for revenge burns deeper into his being. In a battle at sea the ship is destroyed; Ben saves the Roman commander; he is adopted as the commander’s son and given all the rank and privilege of a wealthy Roman. Back in Palestine he discovers that his mother and sister, made destitute by the actions of Messala, have become lepers. Ben Hur lays plans for rebellion against the Romans and for revenge against his enemy.
Enter Jesus. The Jewish Rabbi miraculously heals the leprosy of his sister and mother. “Could this be the Messiah? Will he lead the rebellion? Can we throw off this Roman yoke?” But then Jesus is arrested and Ben Hur’s hatred of the Romans and his personal enemy reach their climax.
Then during a poignant scene in the movie version of the story, Ben Hur is standing before the cross watching Jesus die. He is holding a sword, the sword he intended to use in rebellion against the Romans and retaliating against Messala. But the cross changes him. As the anger drains from his face and as his muscles relax, Ben Hur drops the sword before the cross and says, “He took the sword right out of my hand.”
Through this powerful statement of the Law of Love, Christ shows us our own struggle with personal rights and revenge. As our anger at our brother struck him on the cheek, he turned the other cheek and shed his blood. He now desires through this passage and through his cross “to take the sword out of our hand.”