Be perfect, therefore, even as your heavenly Father is perfect.

We find this nugget of inconceivable directive in the middle of the Sermon on the Mount. (Yes, I am still in that thing…) Now, I have always heard this “perfection” explained as an incredible standard of holiness that is, frankly, unattainable. I’ve heard that it is a message given to make us feel hopeless and to keep us dependent on the work of Christ. That we just can’t live this stuff.

But do you think this is really what Jesus means? If you look closely at the context, you’ll notice that this “perfection” is not described at the end of the sermon. Instead, it is placed in the middle, after these words:

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, even as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Could it be that the “perfection” Jesus calls for is a non-violent, non-vengeful response to everyone outside our existing boundary of friendships? Could it be that Jesus is reminding us that God’s love differs from ours because it is comprehensive?

God’s love includes everyone. It is compassionate, even towards those who would hate us.  See, by imitating God’s love, we demonstrate the part of God that makes him “perfectly” different, and in doing so, we can actually revolutionize society rather than proliferate the usual circle of violence and hatred.

As Brian McLaren writes in his most recent book, The Secret Message of Jesus: “If there is a point in this book where readers might be tempted to slam the cover shut and say ‘this is ridiculous…’ this would be that point.” But what a thought to consider.  What else would we do? Go back to the same old, same old? Isn’t this new way, this new “perfection,” the only one with hope?