Revenge and retaliation!

Matthew 5:38-42: "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth!"

I The Law of Moses
Throughout our study of the Sermon on the Mount we have looked at the law of Moses, what the Rabbis said about that law, and then what Jesus said about that law. Since the Old Testament speaks in a number of places about "Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth" (Ex 21:24; Lev 24:20; Deut 19:21) many people think that the words of our text break this pattern; they think Jesus refers to the law itself rather than the explanation given by the Rabbis. This is not the case. Jesus again is setting his view against that of the Pharisees.

"Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth." In this law of Moses the Lord speaks to us of revenge. Unfortunately, we are all guilty of it. If any harm is done to us, the immediate natural instinct is to hit back. Not only that, but the immediate natural instinct is to hit back harder than we were hit in the first place. When natural man is injured he wants vengeance; he even wants to kill. We see this tendency to wrath and anger, to retribution and retaliation, everywhere. We see it among children and adults. We see it among families. We see it among nations and races. We see it among different religions.
People don't seem to realize how damaging the desire for revenge really is.

"Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth." The main intent of the law of Moses here was to control excess. The main intent of the law of Moses here was to control anger and violence and the desire for revenge. God wants equity and justice to rule. So, if a man knocks out another man's eye, he must not be killed for it. Rather, it is "Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth." The punishment must fit the crime.

II The Teaching of the Rabbi’s
"Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth." The Rabbis made this law a matter of personal revenge. They said that any person who had been injured could seek "Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth." They basically said that a man had the right to take the law into his own hands and seek revenge. Yet, this law of Moses does not apply to individuals. This is clear when we look at Leviticus 19:
(Lev 19:18) Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
This law applies to judges and courts. Individuals do not have the right to punish people who have injured them. Only the authorities have this right. And, in exercising this right judges and courts have to apply the rule of "Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth." The punishment has to fit the crime. Judges and courts are restrained by this law from horrible excess.
The Rabbis were wrong in making the rule of "Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth" a matter of personal revenge. Instead, it was something to be carried out by judges and courts.

Not only that, but in their legalism the Rabbis said the law of "Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth" was a duty; it was something that was automatic; revenge was something the law required. But God’s law required nothing like that. The Rabbis took the law and turned and twisted it. The law said this: "Do not punish more than an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." The Rabbis twisted this law into a statement which said: "You are to seek an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth."

III The Teaching of Jesus
Jesus, however, speaks about Kingdom living. About Christian life sanctified. And Christians do not take the law into their own hands; they know they are not civil judges. Christians do not automatically seek revenge. Jesus makes this point with three examples.

The first example mentioned by our Lord concerns a case of slapping. Jesus says,
(Mt 5:39) ... Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Slapping is normally done with the right hand. A man would use his right hand and with his palm slap someone’s left cheek. However, to slap the right cheek you had to use the backside of the right hand The Jews believed that slapping the face with the backside of the hand was far more offensive than slapping the face with the palm. What Jesus is saying is this: Even if you are utterly humiliated, you must not hit back.
I think we all realise that retaliation has no end. Each blow becomes more severe than the one before. Then it becomes a big fight. This can only be prevented if someone stops hitting back and is willing to suffer a blow without retaliation.

The best example of this is the Lord Jesus. He was before the Sanhedrin. One of the officials struck him in the face. Jesus' only response was to ask, "Why did you strike me?" (Jn 18:23). When we succeed in turning the other cheek, our lives become a living testimony to the Lord Jesus.

The second example mentioned by Jesus concerns tunics and cloaks. Jesus says,
(Mt 5:40) And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. When Israel's poor took out a loan they sometimes were obliged to give their cloak as a pledge. Yet, according to Deuteronomy 24:10-13, the creditor was not allowed to keep the cloak throughout the night. Because of the cold of the night he had to return the cloak before the sun went down. That way the poor debtor could sleep covered by his cloak and keep warm. However, some creditors were harsh. When they returned the cloak before sunset they immediately demanded another pledge in its place and said, "Give us your tunic."
Jesus said, "Do not protest if you are treated this way. Do not retaliate. Give him both your tunic and your cloak. Give him all your clothes, even though you may need them." In this way a court case. Christians should act in this way and embarrass the person who asks too much.

The third example mentioned by our Lord has to do with travel. Jesus says,
(Mt 5:41) If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
It was an unwritten law in Israel that a traveler had the right to ask a village to provide one or more protecting companions as he continued his journey. The parable of the Good Samaritan shows us what could happen when someone travels alone – robbers and thieves will steal and beat and destroy. Now Jesus speaks of a traveler who demanded more than was customary. Maybe he was scared or lonely or was on the run. Whatever the reason he forced his protecting companions to go with him a mile further than was necessary. Instead of arguing in such a case, says Jesus, it is better to go the extra mile.
It is not Jesus' intention to tell us to give in to the demands of bullies. But we should extend Christian kindness to people who beg for more help than we are obliged to give.
Jesus is here not speaking to the nations of the world, to police officers, judges or magistrates. Because the government is called to resist evil. And countries should defend the safety of their citizens. Jesus is also not speaking to unbelievers. To anyone who doesn't believe in Jesus, these teachings are ridiculous.

Jesus is speaking to people who are made new in Christ; people who are born again; people who are filled with the Holy Spirit.
Such people, by the power of God, can find it within themselves not to seek revenge or bear a grudge, but to be humble and forgiving.
Blessed are the peace makers!