16 June 2014 - resistance, sometimes futile

16 June 2014 - resistance, sometimes futile

But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.

How can this work in a world full of Ahab's and Jezebels who want our vineyard?  How can we lived exposed, vulnerable, and unprotected as vultures circle? 

We should remember that we aren't talking about our societies.  They have a duty to protect us.  We are talking about ourselves as individuals within societies which are, more or less, doing their best.  Yet within such societies we still find individuals who are abusive to us and people who demand more of us than is fair or just.  How do we deal with them?  Do we let them take until we have nothing left?

Sometimes yes.  That is, after all, what Jesus does in response to us.  We strike him on both cheeks, we take his tunic, and press him into service for the long mile of the cross.

Yet not every cross we see is one which God intends for us.  Jesus himself does not give in to ill treatment outside of his hour when to do so is not necessary.  "So they took up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple" (cf. Joh. 8:58).

We must bring all such burdens to God.  He will teach us to discern whether to give ourselves away in a certain situation will be redemptive or harmful to ourselves and even to the people to whom we give.

At dawn I bring my plea expectantly before you.
For you, O God, delight not in wickedness;
no evil man remains with you;
the arrogant may not stand in your sight. 

We are not off the hook.  We do have to love recklessly and selflessly like Jesus loves.  We do have to take up our cross and follow him.  But we must come to him and take his yoke upon us.  Not any yoke will do.  The yoke of the world does not benefit anyone.  But in the yoke of Jesus we find peace for our souls even as we give ourselves away.  We find that his burden is light.  Here no effort is wasted.  Redemption is promised and assured.