In the early 1970’s I had the privilege of meeting the famous evangelist, Arthur Blessitt. I was invited to join a group of youth ministers to listen to Mr. Blessitt’s plan for evangelizing Times Square, New York. When he burst into the room, the room lit up with the presence of God. He talked confidently about how he and his youth group were going to bring Jesus to Times Square. His presence, his joy, and his confidence was infectious. I’ve never met anyone like him since.
Arthur Blessitt was (and is) an unusual person.
In today’s gospel story, Jesus tells his disciples to be “unusual.” (Matthew 5:43-48).
“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, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.”
Ordinary people love their friends and avoid their enemies. Ordinary people speak negatively about those they dislike. Ordinary people hope their enemies are destroyed. Jesus told his disciples they were not to be like ordinary people. He came to establish the Kingdom of heaven on this earth—the presence of heaven. Members of the Kingdom had so much “love power” that they can love even their enemies and pray for their persecutors.
What makes the disciples of Jesus so “unusual” or extraordinary, is that they share in the identity of Jesus. God himself is their Father, and so they can do some of the things he does. They can let God’s love shine forth from them on everyone, just as the Father gives sun and rain to his children and his enemies as well.
Jesus elaborated:
“For if you love those who love you, what recompense do you have? Do not tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same?”
Gang members greet each other and probably do good things for each other. Even criminals are kind to those whom they like. Kingdom power allows us to be friendly even to those we don’t like. If we stay within the boundary of associating only with those we like, “what is unusual about that?”
“Unusual” does not necessarily mean “weird.” It is the kind of “unusualness” that was displayed in Arthur Blessitt. It is being the kind of person that attracts others to want to have what we have. And isn’t this the way God spreads his kingdom on earth? When a person accepts Jesus and becomes filled with the Holy Spirit, that person is transformed. The light of Christ shines forth in him or her. There is a radiant smile on their face and an overflow of love that comes from their heart. It is obvious that there is something from another world inside them. People want to have what we have. They want a relationship with Jesus too!
It is easier for us to “blend in” rather than appearing unusual. We want people to like us and to see us as being just like them. Being a disciple of Jesus often stirs animosity in those who belong to the kingdom of darkness. At times it brings persecution. God, however, gives us the courage to let our lights shine even among those who want to extinguish Christ’s light.
“So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).
