Open Hands, Not Closed Fists

One of the more famous statements made by Jesus is “turn the other cheek.” He made this statement during his most well known sermon, called the Sermon on the Mount. During that speech, Jesus redefined what it mean to be a true follower of God. The strategy He used was to contrast the standard understanding of God’s laws against their true meaning. 


As He does this, we begin to see that there is more to God’s law then a set of rules and regulations. We learn that God is much more interested in transforming our heart than He is in controlling our behavior. It is not that He doesn’t care about behavior, but rather that He knows that a change in heart results in a change in behavior. In contrast, if you change behavior only, you may not ever get to the heart. 



Many have misunderstood this statement because they have made the fundamental error of thinking Jesus was dictating a particular behavior, when He was talking about a heart attitude. Because of this you have people believing Jesus is telling us to be absolutely non-violent and passive. But clearly this is not what Jesus is saying.



We know this because He gives us four pictures illustrating what He means. The first is of an individual who has been insulted with the traditional “slap of insult”, well known in eastern cultures. This is equivalent to being insulted with words either to our face or behind our back. The second is of someone sued in court, has lost the case and must hand over some property. The third is of someone forced to do something against their will by an authority figure. And the last is of someone who is asked for a handout.



All of these are situations we are familiar with! In each case, our natural reaction is to respond with anger, bitterness and a desire to “stick it to them”. But Jesus tells us the correct response is one of the open hand—that is, a generous spirit. 

Instead of slapping back, we are to absorb the insult and if necessary receive more. Instead of haggling down to the penny what we lost in our legal battle, we are to be generous and give more then what the judge ruled. 

Instead of obeying those in authority over us through gritted teeth, we are to “go the extra mile with a smile.” And instead of ignoring that request for a handout, we are to give more then the minimum.



Each of these examples demonstrate a heart attitude of generosity that gives not because it is required, but because there is a recognition that God is a God of generosity! Why do we go the extra mile? Because God did for us? Why do we not worry about penny pinching? Because God owns everything and we believe that He is going to care for us! Why do we give more than is asked? Because God did first! 



Jesus is calling us to live life with an attitude that refuses to hold on to anger and bitterness. Those things slowly eat away at our insides and make us small people. When we instead keep our hands open and let go of those destructive tendencies, we are actually being like God and we open a channel for him to fill us with more of Himself.



So the question I have for you is, are living with tightly closed fists? Are you harboring bitterness, anger and resentment for insults and abuses you have received in the past? Or are you living with open hands? Remember, bitterness is the poison you drink hoping the other person will die.



This weekend the pastors in Kings County would love the opportunity to help you understand Jesus’ teachings and become a person who lives with open hands.  Why don’t you gather your family together and make a Sunday of it?