You know, this chapter has to be one of the most familiar Bible passages ever--the passage where Jesus turns things upside and tells people to behave opposite of what feels natural to us.
If you are poor, miserable, and oppressed, he says, don't worry about it because God will bless you in heaven. Be generous. If somebody steals your computer, give him your other computer. If someone forces you to clean their house, clean it twice. Don't defend yourself if somebody hits you--let them hit you again. You're an adulterer if you lust after a woman who isn't your wife, even if you never touch her. Don't ever make promises you won't keep--if you say "yes," then do it. Let your word be gold.
I can't imagine that many people like this passage or really pay attention to it. I think people read it but they don't take Jesus literally. (It's funny that so many other passages are read literally, but not this one.) I think Jesus really means it: Be a peacemaker. Don't be violent. Don't take revenge. Don't be angry or lustful. Be compassionate and merciful. Don't harbor grudges. (Oooh, that's a hard one. I still harbor grudges against people ten years after the fact. Really!)
I think this is a chapter I need to put into practice. It's gonna be hard. I'll report back to you what happens....Well, all the non-embarrassing stuff, that is.
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