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The Big Debate

Last Monday Night the world watched the big debate. Everyone knew the path to victory for both sides. Could Donald keep his cool? Could Hillary get under his skin? Well we found out the answer. He could hold it together for about a half hour but after that the old patterns re-emerged and he did the kinds of things that turn people off and make his poll numbers go down.

Now you might imagine that it would be rational to say “hey look, you’ve got a chance at being president of the United States, could you possibly keep your cool, don’t interrupt her, don’t take the bait and check your ego for 90 minutes? Is that too much to ask?

Apparently it is, but why?

The Sermon on the Mount

If you ask people if the Sermon on the Mount is a great text people will say yes but I often wonder if they actually know what is in it. Try this.

Matthew 5:38–48 (NIV)

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Now I’m not going to tell you that this is a magical mandate that will suddenly turn your enemies into friends, or that you must do this in every circumstance but I will tell you that what Jesus commands here is completely unnatural. There are deep and important reasons why this is so hard.

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