No Bragging, Boasting or Show-offs 

     Part 2

     The doctor/preacher/teacher who attracted followers by healing so many, now begins to tell them how to live. 

     "Do not murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not divorce your wife, unless she is an adulteress. Don't swear to keep your oaths...just let your yes be yes and your no be no." Then he really got their attention.

     "But I tell you, do not resist an evil person...turn the other cheek...let him have your cloak...go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you."

     The people were happy to be healed, but, be nice to everyone, no matter what? Doesn't make sense, they must have been thinking. 

     Oh, he wasn't finished. "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers... Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." 

    We wonder. Did they wonder how their miraculous healings led them into a teaching that seemed...could it be...from a prophet...or...?

Note: The teacher wasn't condemning the sudden improper desire that Satan plants or otherwise arises in one's mind. Sin is approving and desiring the thought. And the teacher was not against the administration of proper justice. But consider the hurting father who forgave the man who killed his daughter, leaving judgment to the court, while thinking forgiveness might eventually touch the criminal's spiritual life.   

To be continued

"For I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear, I will help you." - Isaiah 41:13