Aftertaste: Creative Resistance with Love

This past week we heard a sermon on resisting evil with love in creative ways using Matthew 5:38-42.  However, we were unable to get to the case studies that might help us think through some of the more difficult situations we may encounter in life.  For example, what do we do if someone tries to rob us of our possessions?   What if someone breaks into the house?  What about our families?

Indeed, I think the first thing that should be done is to get your family to a safe location, whether that's a closet, upstairs, out of the house, whatever the case may be.  However, I don't think that step should include a gun, knife, or any other sort of object that could lead to an escalation of violence.  There are some criminals who are looking to simply harm people, but I would suggest that most probably just want money and/or stuff.  The easy answer is to simply give them what they want, and try to talk to them in the process - pray out loud, tell them your first name, ask them their name and why they are doing what they are doing, etc. 

Yet, I wonder if there are even more creative ways still to handle this situation.  For example, what if someone breaks into your house and you shout from the living room asking them to go into the cupboards, get a bag of popcorn, and come join you in the living room for the family movie night?  What if you said, "O Hey, there you are!  We have been waiting for you, worried sick that you weren't going to make it.  Leftovers are in the fridge, want me to heat them up for you?"

In what ways would such simple, loving comments disarm folks?  I think it might make quite a few people take a second look at the situation, and maybe even calm down to the point where they can think. 

On the flipside, what's at risk? Ourselves, most certainly. Our families, secondly. Our possessions, third and least of all. This situation could lead to a lot of bad things. We never know. Things can be stolen, we can be shot or knifed, family could be hurt and left for dead. Yet, we still must ask ourselves: do we follow Jesus (who went to the cross) or do we say, "I love my family more than thee, sorry and forgive me, this is my plea?" Remember, Jesus never told us to be successful, or on the winning team in this world. He simply says, "Do you love me more than your life, your family your friends? If so, love your enemy, pick up your cross, and follow me."