What Jesus Did : Matthew 5:40 - Lost My Shirt
by Phil Ware
Lost My Shirt - Matthew 5:40
"If a person wants to sue you in court and take your shirt, then let him have your coat too." (ERV) Full TextKey Thought
We have basic rights—at least that's the assumption many of us operate under as human beings. We get very angry when those basic rights are compromised. Jesus, however, is more concerned that we be redemptively right than he is with our insisting that our rights are honored in every situation here on earth. His goal is to redeem others through us, not to get even with them. Jesus' orientation toward personal rights should not surprise us. He gave up all of his rights and left heaven to redeem us! (Phil. 2:5-11). On the other hand, Jesus staunchly defended the rights of others when those in charge tried to take those rights away from them. Why? Jesus' primary concern was to redeem and bless all people. He now wants us to do the same. The goal of our behavior is to be redemptive to others whether it is our rights or theirs that have been violated!
Today's Prayer
Almighty and compassionate Father, give me less passion for my own rights and greater passion to defend the rights of others who are being abused and exploited. Give me a sensitive heart to see beyond the things done to me that are wrong so that I may see the wrong in the hearts of others and influence them to come closer to you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you, don't stand against an evil person. If someone hits you on the right cheek, then turn and let him hit the other cheek too. If a person wants to sue you in court and take your shirt, then let him have your coat too. If a soldier forces you to walk with him one mile, then go with him two miles. If a person asks you for something, then give it to him. Don't refuse to give to a person that wants to borrow from you. "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies. Pray for those people that do bad things to you. If you do this, then you will be true sons of your Father in heaven. Your Father lets the sun rise for the good people and the bad people. Your Father sends rain to people that do good and to people that do wrong. If you love only the people that love you, then you will get no reward. Even the tax collectors do that. And if you are nice only to your friends, then you are no better than other people. Even the people without God are nice to their friends. So you must be perfect, the same as your Father in heaven is perfect.-- Matthew 5:38-48 (ERV)
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