How many Christians?

Matthew 5: 38-42

38 ‘You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” ³⁹But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; ⁴⁰and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; ⁴¹and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. ⁴²Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.

Turn, give and give again….

The teachings and practices of Jesus are transformative. As disciples of Jesus we acknowledge that something substantial has changed in us; namely, our values, attitudes, beliefs and practices. These are good measures to check if indeed we are followers of Jesus and not merely fans of Him. It is striking how many people claim to be followers of Jesus. Over 2 billion people in the world are at least nominally Christian. How many of us have transformed values, attitudes, beliefs and practices based on the teachings and practices of Jesus? Not so many? So, you have heard it said that there are over 2 billion Christians in the world but unless we live as Jesus teaches we simply get Jesus a bad name. Unless we are transformed in our values, attitudes, beliefs and practices then we may be fans of Jesus but we are certainly not His followers; we are not His disciples. When Jesus taught us this, He gave an example of active non-violent resistance to the forces that rage against peace-making. Jesus taught us that as His followers we must not use evil means to resist evil. That would just double the amount of evil in the world. Jesus taught us to cultivate the opposite of the evil that is destroying our personal and community peace. In the examples in today’s passage Jesus offers us practical transformative practices that draw on Isaiah 50: 4-9 and speak prophetically about His cross. He teaches us to: ‘turn, give and then give again’. Turn our other cheek is not to allow ourselves to be bullied but to be like Jesus, to offer our face in a way that ends the slapping, that makes it impossible to slap and results in reconciliation. We are to be practitioners of giving. Give your outer and inner clothes in the cause of making peace. The beggars, the poverty stricken and the destitute need to be given the means of their final liberation form the evil of their poverty. The symbolism may not be so obvious today but we can still see it if we make the effort. Jesus always resisted evil; anybody who teaches otherwise has never read the story of Jesus.  Jesus gave us His face at His humiliation at the Roman scourging. At Calvary, He was stripped naked after being forced to walk that extra mile. The Sermon on the Mount is indeed prophetic fulfilment, the time has come to participate in the nonviolent resistance to evil that will transform us and transform the world. Do we still want to follow Jesus? Will we offer ourselves as participants in the redemptive and transformative act at of non-violent resistance to evil? We have the opportunity today to check out our own state of discipleship. Are we fans but not followers?  This passage is not about accepting the practices of the bully; it’s the exact opposite; Jesus is teaching us to engage, participate and be transformed in the active process of non-violent resistance to evil just as He did throughout His life, death and resurrection. Our values, attitudes, beliefs and practices define our identity and reveal who we are. How many Christians did you say were in the world today?