Matthew 5:38-42
Since I left class early last week, I wasn't there for a lot of the discussion. However, David provided his notes for the class, and I post them here. [My own additions are in brackets.]
These verse represent the most difficult of the six "you have heard it said" statements.
- What Jesus asks of His disciples goes against natural inclinations. When we are hit, we want to hit back. When we are verbally attacked, the tendency is to strike back. When someone hurts us, we want to hurt them.
- It's one of the consequences of the Fall. We are curved inward and are ready to fight if threatened. But, according to Jesus, His followers respond differently.
How reasonable is this teaching? Why do you think Jesus would ask this of His disciples?
Let's look at the Old Testament Law for the specific instruction from which this teaching comes.
- Several references: Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; but specifically Deuteronomy 1916-21 gives the most complete insight into the instruction of the Law. ["Purge the evil from the land."]
What was the purpose of the Law?
The Law of Moses established a code of conduct for the Israelites that would not only please God, it would also give order to their society, in distinctively different ways.
What would happen when an offense occurred and there was no legal recourse for the offended party?
People take the law into their own hands and often respond excessively, the original offender responds, and chaos ensues.
- The main intent of the Law of Moses: To lay a foundation for justice. To control the excesses; in particular anger, violence, and desire for revenge.
- The Law provided the principle of "exact retribution" - compensation for an offense was limited to the exact equivalent and no more.
- And so, the law was designed to define justice, restrain revenge.
What is distinctive about how the Law is stated in Deuteronomy 19?
These were guidelines for judges, not for individuals. This is where the problem started. [The judges were to make a thorough examination first, being certain that they understood the entire situation before any action was taken.]
Scribes and Pharisees interpreted personally what was meant for judges to use in providing justice. Furthermore, they insisted on being able to respond to an offense - "It's my right!"
What happens when people take it upon themselves to "even a score"?
Do you think Jesus was speaking literally or hyperbolically when He said, "Turn the other cheek" or "Give them your cloak" or "Go the second mile"?
How do we interpret this lesson?
Jesus was not prohibiting justice. He was addressing the problem of a vengeful spirit; of getting even with someone who has offended or hurt us; dealing with taking the law into our own hands; of eliminating retaliation.
He also addressed the "spirit of animosity."
A crucial point to remember: Romans 12:19. God is the only one who can see the whole picture and how retribution can be fairly administered.
Jesus wanted His disciples to respond with a spirit of mercy, not a spirit of justice.
As followers of Christ, we not only do not seek to even the score, we seek the best for the offender. We do not rejoice if misfortune befalls them.
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