Eye for Eye - Matthew 5:38-42

Eye for Eye

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Reflection: When Jesus refers to an "eye for an eye", he is referring to the Old Testament way of judging matters within the community, where the general sense was to match the punishment with the crime. The judges were in charge of making just sentences when people were injured in the Jewish community. But now Jesus is describing what life in the kingdom is like. He is not ruling out what Romans 13, which will teach concerning submitting to the governmental and civil authorities, who keep peace in the community by staying wrongdoing. He is teaching Christians how to live in community.

He uses hyperbole to say if someone injures you in a small way, like striking you on the cheek, turn them the other cheek as well. Meaning don't make a big deal out of a small injury. For instance if someone offends you by something they say to you, don't just try to get back at them. In the same way losing your shirt is not like losing your house, so don't make a big deal out of it. God will provide another shirt, do the gracious thing and not demand payback especially in court. Finally, if someone asks you do to something, rather than keeping a record and expecting them to do something in return, be ready to do more if necessary. This is true servanthood and was modeled by Jesus. He didn't serve looking for paybacks but to show what God's kingdom looks like.

This passage can be interpreted in all kinds of unhelpful ways. Hopefully this is helpful as you seek healthy relationship building in response to Christ's sacrificial love for us.

Jesus help us to serve as you did not expecting but offering our lives in response to your sacrificial life and death. Amen.

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