Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you. Matthew 5:48 (MSG)
Measure for Measure – The Wonder and Grace Series – Part 6
Go to PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4 | PART 5 | PART 6 | PART 7
There're a few scriptures that knock against the idea of “unmerited favor” and us getting what we don’t deserve. Like:
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” Galatians 6:7-8.
“For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38.
The idea of “measure for measure” in Hebrew is “midah keneged midah (mee-dah kah-NEG-ed mee-dah), and means ‘measure corresponding to measure.' It’s the idea that what goes around, comes around. When you begin to see some of the stories in the Bible through a Rabbinic Jewish narrative, you find this idea everywhere.
For example:
Pharaoh’s army drowned the Israelite boys in the waters of the Nile. Later, while chasing Moses, his army drowned in the Red Sea. (Ex 1:22; 14:28).
Haman was so incensed with Mordechai for not bowing down to him that he built a gallows to have him hanged. In the end, he was forced to lead Mordechai on a horse to honor him, and was hanged on his own gallows! (Es 5:9,14; 6:11, 7:10).
Samson lusted after Delilah, which ultimately brought about his demise. When he was captured by the Philistines, Samson's eyes were gouged out, and he became blind. (Jd 16).
Does that mean that this idea of measure for measure flies in the face of grace? Or is that just of part what we put into life, we get out of it?
Or can we flip it?
God has shown us and held us within his creative, generative grace: his divine kindness and mercy. Measure for measure, we are to reverberate that grace into our selves, those around us, and the earth.
“Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ.” (Col 3:11 MSG). It’s not that our origins, genetics, cultures, etc. don’t matter anymore, but they are not something that should separate us in value from one another, because, on a deeper level, we have this one thing connecting us: the Divine thread of Christ that runs through us all. Grace.
What a wonder to behold.
“Here’s another old saying that deserves a second look: ‘Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.’ Is that going to get us anywhere? Here’s what I propose: ‘Don’t hit back at all.’ If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.
You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves.
This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.
In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.” (Matt 5:38-48).
Measure for measure. A wondrous grace.
Go to Part 7 – The Grace »
Written by Lizzy Milani
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