But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Once upon a time, there was a council meeting of all of a country’s ambassadors. They were discussing all of the exciting projects they were working on, and all of the economic gains they had achieved. As the evening wore on, the new King stood and gave instructions to his ambassadors. He said: “Your past objectives and plans have been set aside. Everything is new in my Kingdom. The old money is worthless, but don’t worry, you will be given ample opportunity to become very wealthy. You have a new mission and a new way of operating. We used to negotiate to take the advantage and demand what is due us. Now we will negotiate to bless those whose area we are in. We will, in essence, become their servants. Whatever they want we will not only give them, but we will give them more than they want.” How do you think this would go over with these ambassadors of high position?

In essence, that is what Jesus is doing with the Jewish disciples who follow him. Notice that he is speaking to the listeners. Hearers are people who passively learn intel. Listeners listen to understand and act upon their understanding. It is like Jesus is saying, “For those of you who are serious about following me and being like me, here is some special wisdom.” And his commands are revolutionary! Instead of demanding what is fair, be overly generous. Instead of repaying those who do bad things to you, pray for them. Instead of hauling into court those who cheat you, forgive them. When people hate your guts, love them beyond imagination. And great will be your reward in heaven.

So, we find he is changing the value systems of life in his new kingdom. What is valuable in this world is as nothing compared to heavenly value. So let it go! Don’t hold onto earthly treasures, demand earthly rights, seek earthly justice above all else. God sees our hearts, and he rewards us based on actions that reflect his heart to SAVE THE LOST — AT ANY COST!

Lord, thank you for the new value system you introduced into my life. If I am your ambassador to a lost world, I must embrace fully the priorities of your kingdom and let all other priorities fade away. Teach me more and more how to be like you! LET’S SAVE THE LOST — AT ANY COST!