Sunday, September 20, 2020

PT-2 (Dignity) (Matt. 5:39b)

 

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 9/20/2020 9:12 AM

 

My Worship Time                                                                                      Focus:  PT-2 “Dignity”

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                                    Reference:  Matthew 5:39b

 

            Message of the verse:  “but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.”

 

            I have mentioned this truth in another SD, one I don’t remember which one, but we can see from the Scriptures that Jesus strongly resisted evil that was directed against others, especially His Father.  We can see this as we look at the two times that Jesus cleansed the Temple, once at the beginning of His ministry and one at the end.  However we can also see that Jesus did not resist personal vengeance and evil that was directed at Him.  This can be seen as Jesus was about to be crucified and all of this was foretold in the 52-53 chapters of Isaiah, and the crucifixion can be seen very clearly in the 22nd Psalm.  In Luke 23:34 we read “But Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.”  Peter writes the following “20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. 21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Pet. 2:20-23).

 

            We conclude this very short SD with a quotation from John MacArthur’s commentary as he concludes this section:  “When someone attacks our right to dignity, we too are not to defend that right by retaliation.  We are to leave the protection and defense of our dignity in God’s hands, knowing that one day we will life and reign with Him in His kingdom in great glory.”

 

9/20/2020 9:24 AM

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