Welcome back! As I write this we are recovering from a massive winter storm. I sincerely hope you and your family are safe, warm and dry during this round of harsh winter weather. As we return to Gods Word we pick up in our study of the Sermon on the Mount with Matthew 5:38-42 where we read; “Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.” The Lord Jesus Christ is opening our heart to Gods Word concerning the practice of retaliation.
My thoughts turn to the Pharisees and their literal interpretation of mandatory equal retribution. We often hear it referred to as “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” There are many Old Testament references but the first one is found in Exodus 21:24 “Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.” The Pharisees taught that one who suffered injury or loss had an obligation to claim repayment in like manner. But upon close reading and study of God’s Word we realize the intent of this provision was to control excessive retaliation! The law actually established a boundary concerning retaliation. No person was obligated by the law to react in like manner toward an offender. Jesus taught that to demand one’s right was not a manifestation of divine righteousness. The Lord said; righteousness, godliness, and holiness do not obligate one to seek their rights. Consider this; the characteristic of righteousness and godliness can actually be to give up rights. Christ exampled this when He stood falsely accused before Pilate. Christ had every right to free Himself by divine force if necessary. Being there Jesus was saying that a righteous man is characterized by a selflessness that does not demand his own rights.
From our text we read, He explanation to those listening, that if someone sued for their tunic, they should go beyond the demand and give their coat as well. This was extreme, it would be like you or I being told to give our sweaters and in turn we voluntarily give up our overcoats, willingly! Believers should glean from this the understanding of having a heart that leads us to relinquish our rights as a demonstration of the righteousness that is a testimony to Christ.
Palestine was occupied by Roman soldiers and ruled by their government and its bureaucrat’s. When soldiers wanted or needed to transport materials or goods from place to place, a soldier had the right to requisition anyone or anyone’s livestock to make the move. The Roman government exhibited some degree of humanity, they limited the distance one was required to travel to one mile. If requisitioned by a Roman soldier to carry his pack you had a right to set it down at the end of a mile. Jesus said, if one is conscripted to carry a burden, righteousness will compel him to carry it two miles. The born again Christian should not be compelled to stand so rigid on our rights that we stop when the law has been satisfied. For example, in verse 42 Christ taught that righteousness will respond to need and will not turn away from a person in need. So how much do we help and how often do we help? What are our abilities and how great is the need? As I close I want to remind you the law I write about is the Pharisees law of retaliation, how they applied it in their teachings and how the Lord intended us to deal with retaliation. I want be clear I am not writing about constitutional law in America. However, I do feel there are areas where this teaching must be applied by the Christian, even in America. There is no scriptural obligation for a person to individually demand equal harm to someone who has harmed you. God established government for justice and government will stand accountable to God for justice! Godly love changes a person from the heart outward. No one wants to be injured physically or emotionally, but when the Christian becomes a victim it is necessary for us to prayerfully seek God’s direction in handling the matter. Next month we look at the law of reconciliation. Until then may God bless you is my prayer.
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