One of the most difficult things for us as human beings to do is to hear and take seriously the Bible and God’s Word when we disagree with it. We find all kinds of ways to justify doing it. Too many ways to list. But for Lutherans it has been a particularly high standard and responsibility ever since Luther penned the words, “Sola Scriptura.”
We, Lutherans, are not literalists by any measure but that does not mean we take faithfulness to scripture lightly. In fact, if anything it means we take it so seriously that we study and wrestle with the word, its history and its application deeply and passionately. We do this not to find a way to work around a passage but to make sure that we are applying it faithfully and consistently with its original intended usage.
This past Sunday, February 23rd, we read from the pinnacle of Jesus teaching in Matthew 5 and the Sermon on the Mount. It has forced me into some deep reflection on our responsibilities in contemporary American culture in light of God’s word.
All across our nation we have heard of states installing “Stand Your Ground” laws. We have read regularly about the issues these laws are raising concerning justice. We all know of the Trayvon Martin shooting and trial and, probably, the recent death of Jordan Davis and that murder trial, as well. Whatever we think of this politically or as gun owners if we embrace the name of Christ we must ask does scripture have anything to say.
The answer is, “Yes.” Go get a Bible and read Matthew 5:38-48. Note verse 43, in particular, 43 "You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Those are words that may be hard to swallow. Why? Because they demand of us that we accept being vulnerable to the malicious will of others.
I wonder why no one wants to post those and the surrounding words in a courthouse. Some fight over whether the Ten Commandments should be placed in courtrooms but in the era of Stand Your Ground laws no one is rushing to embrace these words of Christ.
I have loved to hunt. I have been a hunting safety instructor, a bow hunting instructor, and own numerous rifles and shotguns. I have even stared down the wrong end of a pistol held on me. But nothing echoes in my consciousness like these words of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount. The demand Jesus places on us seems too great to ask but Jesus doesn’t just ask he commands, “Love your enemies.”
Jesus quotes the Old Testament law of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth and its limits on vengeance and then he, specifically, says it doesn’t go far enough. He says, if you are hit accept the strike and stay vulnerable offering the other cheek, if you are conscripted to labor give more than what is demanded, if you are robbed give more than what is taken. More than that Jesus says, “Love you enemy.” Jesus would have nothing of this idea of stand your ground. He implores us instead to risk loving that person. Jesus certainly has some wild ideas. And still it is God’s word and we must take it seriously.
I don’t know how many of us can fulfill loving someone who truly intends us harm but it is pretty clear Jesus would not have us looking for ways to justify taking the life of someone whom we think might hurt us. There’s no working around that one not so long as it includes our physical safety, our labor, and our property. I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t have us attempting to justify ourselves by laws that encourage violent reaction over accepting our vulnerable mortality and, especially, when neither of the boys mentioned above had a gun.
Jesus does not give this to us as a harsh command of an omnipotent overlord but in the Garden of Gethsemene stops his followers from defending him by the sword and speaks of the immeasurable power he could bring upon those who come against him should that have been his Father's will. Instead Jesus submits to the representatives of the temple guard and heads towards the cross forgoing power and domination offering his life for others including his enemies.
Being faithful to scripture can be terrifying but if we don’t trust this word how can we then say we trust God’s grace given for you and the forgiveness of your sins.