Julio Diaz stepped off the late-night subway en route to his favorite diner when a knife-wielding teen demanded his wallet. Diaz handed the wallet over; but as the mugger began to walk away, Diaz stopped him. “If you’re going to be robbing people for the rest of the night,” Diaz said, “you might as well take my coat to keep you warm.” He handed the boy his jacket and then invited the bewildered mugger to join him for dinner. Before the evening ended, Diaz again had his wallet, as well as the boy’s knife, but not before sending the mugger away with $20.
I wonder if Diaz had Jesus’ words in mind: “If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also” (Luke 6:29)? Diaz’s story is striking because it stands at odds with our prevailing culture. We learn early to watch out for ourselves, not let others take advantage of us, and to make sure we always get what we need first. Jesus and the gospel, however, teach us an entirely different way— the way of radical love.
For Jesus, love is an act that flies in the face of conventional wisdom and common sense. Rather than strike back at those who harm us, we’re to treat them with generosity and kindness. What could be more unconventional than receiving someone’s abuse and not retaliating? What could be more radical than “[giving] to anyone who asks” us for assistance or lending money and resources to our enemies without ever “expecting to be repaid”? (Luke 6:29-30,35).
With these astonishing examples, Jesus defines love not as a sentimental emotion but as a sturdy, daring act of selflessness. Love costs. Love hurts. Love requires courageous obedience. Jesus demonstrated ultimate love on a cross, the most radical and generous act we will ever know.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 1:5-25
More:
Comb through Luke 6:27-36. Mark the actions of those opposed to you (enemies, etc.) and then mark the way God calls you to respond. Rather than taking our cue from our enemies, who models the posture we’re to possess? (v.36).
Next:
When have you recently been tempted to strike back at someone? How is God challenging you to show radical love?
Barb on June 6, 2011 at 6:23 am
To be honest, this is one of the hardest things for me. I really want to be better at this.
So after reading this, ” Mark the actions of those opposed to you (enemies, etc.) and then mark the way God calls you to respond.” I will start with one person and go from there.
Thank you for posting this.
Barb
winn collier on June 6, 2011 at 10:07 am
I think this is the only way we can do this, Barb. One person at a time.
alli on June 6, 2011 at 7:36 am
this is hard for me, i realized i had hate in my heart, esp when you see someone constantly being bullied and abused, this is very different from the worlds way. if someone is being threatened my response is not oh i love you its i’m going to harm you in return. But what do I tell women who are being abused. Let him beat you up. I haven’t come to the conclusion, but it’s different when someone is trying to harm you like this robber and you are putting yourself in harms way. I dont think the man asked to be robbed, so going to a place where you know someone is going to harm you is different from when you are simply doing what you are supposed to and someone tries to steal from you. Some ppl are jealous and angry and the only way to defuse their actions is simply love them and give them what they demand. i dunno?
daisymarygoldr on June 6, 2011 at 10:19 am
Love hurts. This is because it is against the natural principle: “for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction”. Radical love requires I don’t react to someone else’s act. To defy the natural is easier said than done.
When someone harms me and I don’t strike back, the force of impact is absorbed by me. It can crush and kill. And if I survived, it leaves me scarred for the rest of my life. I don’t like scars. But then, that is the only way I can teach someone what it really means to love.
In my experience at work, many actually learn better when after the talk I follow it up with practical demonstration. When Christians turn the other cheek—we walk the walk, not just talk the talk.
Jesus did not let Himself be abused. When His enemies picked up stones to kill Him, He quietly left and slipped away into the crowd. So, yes I will not retaliate and I will also not let myself be abused. Christ-like love never gives up but to avoid a fight, I simply let it go. And alli, I agree it is not wise for women to stay in abusive relationships. It is difficult and sad… but there is no other choice but to walk away.
Honestly though, ‘an eye for an eye’ comes naturally to me. However, I must obey Jesus’ commands—“Don’t hit back at all. If someone strikes you, stand there and take it” (Matt 5: 38-42 The Message).
Clarence Wong on June 6, 2011 at 11:12 am
How true your words daisymarygoldr. It sure scars so deep… Followed by the natural instinct to strike back either physically or the tot of doing so just fills ur mind for the next few days. Anger, hate…. the struggle to follow God’s word. It just robs ur peace. But at the end of the day. I thank God that He has granted us a spirit of Power & Love, that v may have the power to overcome the tots that the evil one throws to us to provoke us and that v may still find the strength to love the one that hurt us. May v followers of Christ continue to glorify His name in our daily lives!
GChoo on June 6, 2011 at 12:28 pm
Today’s devotion is a true reminder and definitely a difficult act to follow.
It is really not easy to act against our worldly thinking and actions when we are being attacked or hurt by someone. Yes, it is a natural instinct to strike back having been brought up in this world, ‘an eye for an eye’ or ‘we pay for the consequence of our action’. In circumstances as abuse (physical, sexual etc), we can learn to forgive when they repent and realise their wrong. But it doesn’t mean we do not report the abuse and to allow it to continue even after being confronted. The victim needs to seek help to get through the pain and the perpetrators have to face the consequences of their actions and to get help for their actions. However, in the case of the robber, our kind action may help them to realise their wrong and put them back on the right path. We can only pray for God’s wisdom and discernment to act lovingly according to the different circumstances we may be put in.
May we continue to stay close to God’s teaching and ask Him to fill us with His compassion and love so that we can act wisely in all circumstances. And, to hold on to the truth and promises that God is there to see us through those painful situations.
chewy on June 7, 2011 at 10:11 pm
Thank you Winn for the words that you’ve written.. I agree with you that love requires courage and a selfless act. To love others is not love when it is hidden and is not shown. To help people without asking for a return or to help means sacrifice on your part.
I would also like to add that it is not easy to show love to a person you don’t know, much more to someone you know who hurts you. It is also easy to show love when things are rosy and good. But what is radical love is to show love when you don’t feel like it or when you’re angry or when you are in an argument with a husband or wife.
Like in our family when we are in the middle of a fight, my husband and I gives each other a kiss and a hug. Though we are angry at each other at that very moment, we recognize that we must do the extra mile in showing love. Then, slowly the anger disappears and you’ll realize that love truly is everything.
winn collier on June 8, 2011 at 6:20 am
That’s a great practice. That sounds like radical love to me. Love in practice.