Eye for an Eye Matt. 5:38-42
A bible study about law.
*Matt. 5:20 Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes & Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
6 examples to exceed. Jesus says you've heard it said but I say:
1) Anger [old testament Do not kill, I say do not be angry]
2) Lust [Old testament Do not commit adultery, I say do not Lust]
3) Divorce
4) Honesty
5) Revenge [old testament eye for an eye & tooth for a tooth, I say don't resist the one who is evil]
When you are born again, you are invested differently than what the World is invested in. The laws of the land do not set the standards for Christians. Just because it is legal does not mean it isn't a sin. People will persecute you. People will say things against you that are unjust and when you have not merited that criticism.
* How does one respond to criticism when you are trying to live righteously?
* We cannot in in of ourselves be righteous, but through Jesus we can.
* Jesus says we are not to respond with revenge.
Verse 38 found in 3 places in Old Testament: Exodus 21, Leviticus 24, & Deuteronomy 19.
Latin meaning: the law of retaliation.
Eye for an Eye & Tooth for a Tooth does not mean to literally take an eye/tooth from another.
It is a loving law meant to limit vengeance. It was to protect people from the value of judgement exceeding the harm done. It is the principle that our laws first originated upon. It is not a primitive law. Someone who does not know it is a loving law says so out of ignorance to its true meaning. It was also never intended for an individual but for enforcement by a governing agency for justice. Just because someone wants to force their will upon you, it doesn't mean they can.
Verse 39: I say do not resist the one who is evil.
There are 3 methods used to interpret what Jesus means:
1) literal & absolute — it means we should be passive
2) symbolic & relative — it depends upon what you believe
3) sensible & rational — how does it apply (pray)
Jesus gives 4 examples:
1) responding to insult— If someone backhands you, turn the other cheek. This doesn't mean a literal physical attack. A backhand is a calculated insult. It doesn't mean that Christians do not have the right to defend themselves. It does not say we cannot protect ourselves. He means absorb it & continue being Christian.
Verse 40: Sued unjustly— stop making much of ourselves and our perceived rights. It doesn't mean we have to give away everything we have every time we are sued. When we make much of Jesus, we will be unjustly persecuted. If you are sued unjustly, do not seek revenge. Cloth and feed your enemies and speak much of Jesus name in praise.
Verse 41: Forced labor — In Roman time, it was law that a Roman soldier could stop and force you to carry his burden for a mile. (Jesus said to not do 1 mile but give him 2 miles.) It's going to be a long 2 miles and I walk slow. So, it's going to be a long 2 miles where I get to talk about Jesus!!
Verse 42: Borrowing— we as Christians are to be deeply generous, but that doesn't mean we give whatever anyone wants and simply fill the need.
Check out the book 'When Giving Hurts'
People do borrow from disciples to hurt them in some way.
Luke 6:35 Love your enemies.
People who are making much of Jesus should not be focusing on and sucked into evil. In 10,000 years while we are sitting in Heaven, it won't matter what injustices of evil. As Christians the mere laws that govern our lands are beneath our standards. Just because it is legal does not mean it is not a sin. Not one of us is righteous. Then, how can we be? Repent and ask Jesus. Jesus changes everything
