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May 5, 2002 - Matthew 5:38-42

We ought to remember that the principles which Jesus taught apply principally to the Christian Community. You cannot expect the non-Christian to think or behave in Christian ways.

This does not mean that we can rationalize our behavior to include violence, retaliation or revenge. And, in as far as it is possible, we must relate to the non-Christian the same ways in which we relate to the Christian. But at the same time, we must not expect that Jesus requires us, except in cases where life is required for our faith, to allow ourselves to be continually beaten up, broken down or borrowed up to the limits of endurance where faith is totally challenged to give up the good fight.

I believe that there are limits beyond which Jesus does not expect us to go. Tough Love often says, "No!" and "No further!" Pastor Shultz

Open It

1. Why are movies about vengeance or vigilante justice so popular?
2. What is appealing about revenge?

Explore It

3. To what familiar saying was Jesus referring in this context? (5:38)
4. What did the ancients require if a person put out someone else's eye? (5:38)
5. What was the judgment for knocking out another's tooth? (5:38)
6. How did Jesus say we should respond to people who do us evil? (5:39)
7. What should we do to protect our rights and possessions? (5:39)
8. What should be the Christian's response to physical violence? (5:39)
9. What should a person do if someone else sues him or her? (5:40)
10. What should a person do if someone else forces him or her to "go one mile"? (5:41)
11. How should followers of Christ deal with those who ask them for things? (5:42)
12. What is the proper response to a request to borrow something? (5:42)

Get It

13. What are the drawbacks to an "eye for eye" mentality?
14. Where do we draw the line between our rights and our responsibility to be forgiving and patient?
15. What is the rationale behind Jesus' idea that love overcomes evil?
16. How may doing good change a bad situation?
17. How should we respond to violent attacks?
18. When are we responsible to stop an evil person from committing violent acts?
19. What advice would you give to the little kid who is constantly being bullied at school?
20. What do you think would happen if Christians followed these principles to the letter?
21. What items would you find difficult to loan out or give away?
22. In what ways have you been seeking vengeance or an opportunity to pay someone back for a wrong done to you?
23. What grudge or personal vendetta do you need to lay aside?

Apply It

24. What prayer will help you forgive some wrong you've had difficulty letting go of?
25. What act of kindness or reconciliation could you perform by next weekend to help "bury the hatchet"?

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God's purpose behind this law was an expression of mercy. The law was given to judges and said, in effect, "Make the punishment fit the crime." It was not a guide for personal revenge (Exodus 21:23-25; Leviticus 24:19-20; Deuteronomy 19:21). These laws were given to limit vengeance and help the court administer punishment that was neither too strict nor too lenient. Some people, however, were using this phrase to justify their vendettas against others. People still try to excuse their acts of revenge by saying, "I was just doing to him what he did to me."

When we are wronged, often our first reaction is to get even. Instead Jesus said we should do good to those who wrong us! Our desire should not be to keep score, but to love and forgive. This is not natural--it is supernatural. Only God can give us the strength to love as he does. Instead of planning vengeance, pray for those who hurt you.

To many Jews of Jesus' day, these statements were offensive. Any Messiah who would turn the other cheek was not the military leader they wanted to lead a revolt against Rome. Since they were under Roman oppression, they wanted retaliation against their enemies, whom they hated. But Jesus suggested a new, radical response to injustice: instead of demanding rights, give them up freely! According to Jesus, it is more important to give justice and mercy than to receive it.

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By telling us not to retaliate, Jesus keeps us from taking the law into our own hands. By loving and praying for our enemies, we can overcome evil with good.

The Pharisees interpreted Leviticus 19:18 as teaching that they should love only those who love in return, and Psalm 139:19-22 and Psalm 140:9-11 as meaning that they should hate their enemies. But Jesus says we are to love our enemies. If you love your enemies and treat them well, you will truly show that Jesus is Lord of your life. This is possible only for those who give themselves fully to God, because only he can deliver people from natural selfishness. We must trust the Holy Spirit to help us show love to those for whom we may not feel love.

We are, more often than not, guilty of avoiding the extreme sins while regularly committing the types of sins with which Jesus was most concerned. In these six examples, our real struggle with sin is exposed. Jesus pointed out what kind of lives would be required of his followers. Are you living as Jesus taught?

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