enduring injustice
Matthew 5:38-48 ESV
““You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Lately, I keep coming face to face with passages in the Bible that really challenge my faith. Enduring injustice is something that feels so wrong. As an American and maybe even more so as an Arizonian standing against injustice is just what we do. But this verse seems to be challenging me to endure injustice.
A close pastor friend of mine in a country far way (intentionally vague) has had to give “gifts” in order to do almost everything. He had to give a “gift” to get a doctor appointment. He had to give a “gift” to get a residence permit. I have been with him when he was pulled over driving and falsely accused of drinking and driving and it was clear that the officer was trying to get a “gift.” I am so angry that my dear friend has to endure these injustices.
Honestly, I don’t know what to do with the emotions that I feel when I hear about and see these injustices. I am so challenged with Jesus’ teaching to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute you. These instances of injustice are not attacks on my friend’s faith so to see them as persecution seems like a stretch for me. At the same time the examples that Jesus gives are not attacks on faith either.
Would you pray with me to ask God to show us what this means? I want to be transformed by Jesus and I need him to help me to endure injustice even if it is for my friend who is thousands of miles away.