Contemplative Bible Reading

This is one of those stories that takes about ten years to finish. Years ago, I saw parts of the 1982 (?) movie “Ghandi.” In one scene, Ghandi is speaking with a group of Indians in South Africa. They are upset about a government policy that will require them to do something they do not want to do.

Various people argued that they should fight the government. Ghandi felt that fighting was wrong, but disobedience to the policy was right.

A man asked, “What if they come into my home and beat me?”

Mahatma Ghandi, said something like, “Then they will have my broken body, but they will not have my obedience.” In other words, Ghandi would not yield to their desires.

I don’t know much about Ghandi and his life. I tried to do some research on him this morning, but gave up due to lack of time. I guess that is something I could do at a later time.

Fast forward to yesterday. I was reading in Matthew chapter 5. First, towards the end of the chapter.

Matthew 5:38-42 (New International Version)

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Let me paraphrase and relate to what Ghandi said, “You may have my tunic, you may have my cheek, you may have my second mile. You may persecute me, but you won’t have any hate from me. I will not sin.”

Now let’s look back towards the front of the chapter.

Matthew 5: 21-22 (New International Version)

21″You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

This is a famous passage where “hate equals murder.” Will I hate someone when they slap my face? Will I hate someone when they steal my clothes? Will I hate someone when they steal my time?

A couple of ways to look at this.

First, I can do the physical act that someone wants and still be right on the inside. I can have someone take advantage of me, steal from me, and be right on be inside.

Second, I can not do the physical act that someone wants and still be right on the inside. “Either worship another god or we will kill you.” This happened to Daniel and to his three friends on separate occasions. They did not follow evil. Daniel’s friends went into the deadly furnace serving God all the way.

Another way to look at this.

I can do the right physical act with the wrong heart. I can walk another mile with a person and hate them all the way. That, according to verses 21-22 is the same as murder.