How Much He Trusts Us

"I know God will not give me anything I can't handle.  I just wish that He didn't trust me so much." Mother Teresa

"Whosover shall compel thee ..."

The Cubs just played one of their patented "Wait! Let me roll over so you can kick me in the face" games. Some people think that that was the point of Jesus' admonition in Matthew 5:41. To be weak, to just let someone else take what they want from you. To turn the other cheek so they can hit you again.

"And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain." Matthew 5:41. A Roman soldier could legally force any non-citizen (such as the Jews) to carry his pack and weapons for up to a mile. He was in control of the situation.

"... go with him twain." The soldier could insist on one mile. By going two, the answer was, "You do not control me."

Christian Meekness

     The 3 August 2009 issue of The Sporting News (Vol. 233, No. 16) has on its cover a picture of professional football players Adrian Peterson (the Minnesota Vikings one) and the retired Hall of Famer Jim Brown.  Both are glaring at the reader as if they would like to inflict physical injury.

     Peterson and Brown may, in their private lives, be the sweetest guys ever.  The photo seems, however, to play into a modern mentality that strong men are dangerous hostile men who take no prisoners.  It's the Get Out of My Way or I'm Gonna Run Over You mindset which has many proponents in sports, entertainment, business, and politics.  It sees the other person as merely an obstacle to be overcome at any cost.

     The Christian ideal is one of meekness.  Forget the usual understanding of this word as "weak," "wimpy," cowardly," or "shy."  That is not at all the biblical meaning of the word.  The Bible meaning of "meek" has to do with endurance without resentment; humble quiet gentle restrained strength.  Both Moses and jesus are described in the Bible as meek.

"But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." Psalm 37:11.

"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." Matthew 5:5.

     Jesus on the cross was both at His strongest (He could have called down armies of angels to rescue Him, Matthew 26:53) and in His most meek state. He willingly (though He was reluctant for one brief moment, Matthew 26:39, Luke 22:44) submitted to the will of the Father.  Jesus knew exactly what was coming and He obeyed anyway.

     [See tomorrow's post for a follow up comment on sports competition.]