Matthew 5:21-48

What does this revolution actually look like in real life? Torah Law was

always about love — love of God, self and neighbor — but somewhere along

the way it had became something to manage, manipulate, and weaponize. In

six startling case studies, Jesus takes Israel’s Law, and traces the

trajectory from the seed in the heart to the fruit in the world, and brings

his focus to the image of God in every one of us.

Jesus goes after contempt, objectification, power abuse, image-management,

retaliation and tribal loyalty. This is not moral tightening or any sort of

new rules: it is relational restoration, the root of all kingdom justice!

With bonkers (and so misunderstood!) contextual wisdom, turning cheeks and

walking extra miles actually become ways of expressing agency, calling out

injustice and inviting even our enemy into relationship. Challenging

teaching, for our challenging times!

By Hannah Flint

Books referenced in talk

The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life in God by Dallas

Willard⁠ ⁠

The Narrow Path: How the Subversive Way of Jesus Satisfies Our Souls⁠ by

Rich Villodas