Introduction
– We come to another passage in the Sermon on the Mount that
is frequently quoted with all kinds of erroneous applications. What exactly are we to make of ‘an eye for
an eye’, ‘turning the other cheek’, and ‘going the extra mile’? We live in a sinful world and so we must
expect to meet with personal injustices and unprovoked injuries. The Pharisees had one particular kind of error. Teaching absolute non-resistance is another.
Justice and Governments – There are two important contextual issues
to understand when applying this concept of ‘an eye for an eye’.
The Punishment
Fits the Crime – (Lev
24:19-20, Ex 21:22-25) The purpose of
these sayings was to limit the punishment to that which fit the crime.
Knowing Your
Government(s) – The
beginning of Exodus 21 shows us that these punishments were to be meted out as
judgments (precedents). In other words,
these instructions were to the judges of the Jewish nation. This is explicit in Deut 19:18-21.
Personal
Vengeance – This
was encouraged and almost demanded in the teachings of the Pharisees. But Lev 19:18 says “You shall not take
vengeance,” and Prov 20:22, 24:29 emphasize this. Reconciliation of taking and eye and not taking an eye requires
the understanding of governments (Rom 12-13).
Graciousness Lived Out (vv39-42) – The only way we can
understand and apply these examples Jesus gives is to understand governments
and to have a particular demeanor ourselves – the demeanor of the
Beatitudes. If the demeanor is right,
the applications will be obvious.
‘Do not resist
an evil person’ – There
are times we must do this. There are
times we must not (Matt 23, Rom 12:21).
‘Turn the other
cheek’ – This
is not a threat of life, but a slap, a smite, an act of humiliation. There are times we must do this. There are times we must not (John 18:22-23).
‘Capitulate in
lawsuits’ – This
has to do with legitimate uses of the courts verses imposing the law over
trifles. There are times we must do
this. There are times we must not (Matt
18:15-20).
‘Go the second
mile’ –
Roman law required civilians to carry a soldier’s burden when requested, and
the Pharisees taught that they and their disciples were above this. There are times we must do this. There are times we must not (Acts 16:35-38).
‘Give and loan
money’ – We have been given
much so that we might share. There are
times we must do this. There are times
we must not (2 Thess 3:10).
My Spirit of Retaliation – We must rid ourselves of the constant
tendency to be watching out for our own interests. Jesus is our example – “who, when He was reviled, did not revile
in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself
to Him who judges righteously;” – 1 Pet 2:23.
When an injustice occurs, we must ask some honest questions – Why did
this thing upset me? Is it truly out of
concern for the principle of justice and righteousness, or is it just myself I
am concerned for?
“It is not
comfortable teaching to consider and I can assure you that it is not an easy
thing to spend a week with a text like this.
But this is the Word of God, and this is what Christ would have us
be. It deals with our whole
personality, down to the little practical details of life. Holiness is not something to be received in
a meeting; it is a life to be lived and to be lived in detail.”-
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.
How Am I To Do This? – my natural inclination always is to
defend and retaliate.
Remember the
Beatitudes – You
must keep in mind what you deserve from God.
Leave Vengeance
in God’s hands – You
must trust that He will recompense.
Prizing the
Great Mercies – You
must believe that the sufferings are nothing compared to the weight of glory
being wrought.
Grow in
Maturity – Obedience
to the Word of God requires maturity (Heb 5:12-14).