Photo by Chris Barbalis on Unsplash
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matt 5:38-39 NIV84) [see these verses in their context below]
We venerate pacifist icons such as Martin Luther King Jr, Mother Teresa, Mahatma Gandhi, or Francis of Assisi. But our heroes tend to be powerful, even violent people—from cartoon superheroes to assassins or powerful gangsters, to vaunted military heroes.
We admire the character and ideals of those who promote nonviolent resistance but default to people of power and influence regardless of their character.
This dichotomy—where we try to hold on to mutually exclusive ideals and values—is one reason we find it difficult to grasp or understand what Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount.
We admire what Jesus says and posterize His sayings on plaques hung on our walls but often live and relate to others in an opposite way.
These few verses in chapter 5 of Matthew lay out the path of pacifism and nonviolent resistance. If we’re honest with ourselves, these responses are hard to accept. They require a strength of character and conviction most of us don’t have on our own.
Of course, Jesus personally illustrates this strength of character and conviction but we tend to say—well, He’s the Son of God!
These same qualities were portrayed in a military hero named Desmond Doss—a conscientious objector who enlisted to serve in WWII. A recent movie—Hacksaw Ridge—gave a brutal but realistic view of this man’s character and conviction. He was ridiculed by fellow soldiers and military leaders until they saw him in action.
These verses amplify and exemplify the beatitude—Blessed are the peacemakers.
Insights
A tour of the land of Israel to view the biblical and historical sites in person is a great experience I recommend to anyone who can do it. But culturally, you’ll find Israel to be a very secular nation. A good tour guide mitigates this but only to some degree.
When the Law was given through Moses, the Middle East was a mishmash of warring tribal groups. Yes, a few great empires existed but tribalism was the norm. A common characteristic of tribalism was retribution. It still is.
The Hatfield and McCoys were families in rural America who continued to feud for 3 decades over mostly petty differences. They are an example of retribution gone wrong with senseless killings and hatred.
Generational tribal warfare continues to this day in some areas of the world. This generational feuding is fueled by retribution and revenge. In the western world, this is played out in a similar way with gang territorialism and violence.
Many missionaries serve and have served in regions where generational tribal rivalries continue. When the gospel is received and impacts the lives of these people, it dramatically disrupts the generational cycle of violence.
Several years ago, I heard veteran missionaries Frank and Marie Drown share their testimony of the dramatic reversal in a tribal rivalry in the jungles of Ecuador where they served. I heard them in person and read their book, Mission to the Headhunters. Even in their 80’s, they spoke with such dynamic enthusiasm and their book was a true page-turner for me. They personified true peacemakers.
Redefining and Fulfilling God’s Law
This portion of the Law Jesus quotes (Exo 21:24) was intended to limit retribution or revenge not commend it. When people want retribution or revenge, they’re charged with emotion. This law was to limit retribution to an equal consequence to prevent the escalation of any further action.
Jesus not only redefines this law but redirects it. His intent is to de-escalate potential problems. Instead of reacting in the heat of the moment, Jesus says to deflect personal insults. We are not to pay back evil with more evil.
This is an attitude of mercy and grace, not retribution. It’s an illustration of what a peacemaker does. Rather than insist on some form of payback, a person who pursues peace deflects insults, overcomes evil with good (Rom 12:17-21), and is compassionate and generous.
I don’t know about you but I’m not naturally inclined to do this. I need God’s help to be a peacemaker rather than speak or act in a reactive way.
Just as the Law of Moses was impossible to keep in a perfect sense (Gal 3:21-25), so we need the Lord’s grace and help to live according to this new way of life in God’s Kingdom.
Jesus said He came to fulfill the Law (Matt 5:17). When we are in a right relationship with Him by faith, He will enable us to be like Him and follow His example.
When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. (1 Peter 2:23)
When we surrender our life to Jesus—trusting in Him with our whole being—He will change and empower us in our innermost being, our heart. He is the one who instills this character and conviction in us so we reflect the Kingdom of Heaven to the world around us.
I need God’s help to be a peacemaker rather than a reactor. How about you?
Reflection—
Jesus calls us to a new way of handling insults and personal injury. It’s not passive but requires strong character and conviction. As we entrust our lives to Him, Jesus will develop a nature and character like His in us.
Prayer Focus—
When you are insulted or confronted with wrongdoing, ask the Lord for the grace to not react or retaliate. Ask Him to fill you with His mercy and grace and compassion.
Devo Scripture Text
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca, ’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.”
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.”
“It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.”
“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.’ But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.
And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”
(Matthew 5:17-42 NIV84)