| Do Unto Others |
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I think there is a tendency for us to want to pick Bible verses out of thin air and try to apply it to our lives without a deeper understanding of the story behind it. In becoming a Christian I am fascinated in The Word and how it still applies to living thousands of years after it was written. I want to make sure (for myself) that because I believe I was Called, I don't take my Calling lightly, and I don't try to use The Bible as little catch phrases to make myself feel better. Sometimes that's OK, but I want to KNOW, to UNDERSTAND God's Word; not just to read a daily sentence and go about my business. That seems too convenient somehow. Those little, bite-sized passages are part of bigger story, that when read, make the meaning so much deeper and complete than the sentence standing alone.
In this passage, Jesus is talking about love for one's enemies. The very next sentence that follows is 'do to others as you would have them do to you' Luke6:31. I think Jesus is talking about the idea that if someone takes something of yours, instead of the settling on the first reaction (anger), perhaps thinking -'they must need it more then you'. Not that stealing is okay, of course! Kids that steal out of others' lunches, almost always do so because they are hungry. The person that broke into my car and only took my coat a few winters ago, must have been cold that morning. Our ability to empathise is not always the first thing that comes to mind when someone takes from us. Jesus is challenging us to practice the discipline of doing to others what we would have them do to us. And what a discipline that is, too! Especially in our society where people aren't always open to you even talking to them, let alone treating them as you would want to be treated.
It is a challenge, and sure, we could minimize it. We could say, "Okay, I 'll give to the beggars on the corner." That isn't quite the challenge, I don't think. To actually DO to others as you would want them to do, to offer your other cheek if a person should strike you (earlier in this same passage), and to 'be merciful, just as your Father is merciful' Luke 6:36; That is a challenge. That is what Jesus is asking us to do. Imagine what our world would be like, if this was the case.
6:30 Give to every one who begs from you; and of him who takes away your goods do not ask them again. |
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