The Man on Efficiency

The Sermon on the Mount causes a great deal of puzzlement. One of the most severe instances involves some of our most prevalent emotions. The Galilean certainly goes against much of our modern sentiment when, partway through this most famous sermon, he throws us this moral curve:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 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. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” (Matthew 5:38-42 NIV)

This passage could equally inspire the “Defund the Police” crowd and the “Don’t take a knife to a gunfight” one. The first could say, “See who agrees with us? Be righteous.” The second could say “See what the weaklings want you to believe? Be afraid.” There is a third group, one believing in simple explanations, whose adherents would say, “His ways ain’t our ways. Be content.”

I’m not sure what the Galilean would say. He was more involved in preaching than in explaining. He leaves us much to figure out for ourselves.

Those for whom none of the foregoing responses suffice might view the passage from an “efficiency expert’s” view. Just imagine the time we waste in life dwelling on retribution and revenge, hoarding our possessions, thinking of how to avoid the unavoidable, or figuring ways to avoid sharing wealth. It might "free up a lot of our time" as the man in the TV commercial says.

What might we do with that time? We'll have to read the rest of The Sermon for that.