The Law of Non-Retaliation
Notes
Transcript
Have you ever had something happen to you in which you responded, “That just ain’t right!” We all have. But nobody quite understands injustice like Archie Williams. He was arrested in 1982 for a crime he did not commit. His verdict was overturned only when DNA evidence could be brought forth to prove his case. He was incarcerated for 37 years for a crime he did not commit. He was released in 2019. I saw Archie through the show America’s Got Talent. He is a wonderful singer and a humble man. Do you think he spent 37 years thinking, “That ain’t right?”
We all experience injustice on one level or another. Whether it be from interpersonal relationships gone wrong, or the justice system failing to perform its duties properly. It’s not a matter of never facing injustice in this lifetime, but how we respond to it that matters.
Our next stop in the Sermon on the Mount addresses this topic. Jesus has been addressing interpretations of the Jewish law. “You have heard it was said, but I say to you.” What Jesus is doing is elevating the true meaning and intent of the laws he addresses and calls his followers to a higher and more true ethical standard than what they had previously been taught.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’
“But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
“If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.
“Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.
“Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.
The command that Jesus is referring to comes from a few places, namely Ex. 21:24, Lev. 24:20, and Deut. 19:21. The original intent of this law was to regulate punishment for crimes. This is known as the lex talionis, or law of retaliation. The punishment must fit the crime. This has been part of western society for centuries. This is why you do not get five years in jail for running a red light. The punishment does not fit the crime. The greater the offense, the greater the punishment.
There are some who suggest that Jesus is revoking the law of retaliation in favor of adopting a law of non-retaliation as exemplified by the statements he makes which oppose this idea of retaliation. But upon closer examination, there is something else Jesus is saying here. As we seek to understand this principle as it relates to the people of God and how we are supposed to behave, we see that Jesus is not revoking the law of retaliation, but calling his people to a higher ethical standard in conflict resolution.
The core of the message is:
All Christians are called to adopt an attitude of non-retaliation.
All Christians are called to adopt an attitude of non-retaliation.
Let us take a look at each of the commands Jesus is giving us. The first is in verse 39. He calls us not to resist an evil person. Instead, whoever slaps you on the right cheek, our response is to turn the other cheek to him also. As we look at these instructions, we have to understand that there is a level of hyperbolic language here. Hyperbole is a figure of speech that employs exaggeration to make a point. Hyperbolic statements are not to be taken literally. There seems to be a measure of hyperbole here, which leads us to understand that these commands are not absolute.
The word resist means to oppose or be hostile toward someone. So the command first begins with a prohibition from acting in a hostile manner toward another person. However, Jesus does not intend for his followers to simply take abuse from others. If someone assaults you, make sure that person pays the penalty of his crime. But a slap on the cheek in their day was a matter of insult. It would be improper of a child of God to return insult for insult.
The rest of these examples, giving of your coat as well as your shirt, and going two miles instead of one both illustrate how Jesus’ followers are to act more generously than what the law demanded. So if we understand that as a principle for Christian living, then we understand we are to reject retaliation and work toward the good of those we would be at odds with. Jesus has not abolished the law of retaliation, but elevated his followers to a higher, but counter-cultural standard of living.
If someone attacks you, you are not supposed to let them keep attacking you, nor is Jesus prohibiting you from calling the police and pressing charges. Jesus is not saying to let people sue you until you are penniless and naked. There are a number of scholars who say the command to go two miles is based off a Roman practice of commandeering civilians and forcing them to carry luggage for a specified distance. Put yourself in a first century Jew’s shoes for a second. Your Roman occupier has commanded you carry his stuff for a mile. Jesus says go with him two. Wouldn’t you just love to retaliate?
“Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.” We have to remember that following these commands firstly, is mandatory. Jesus is God. He is our authority. When we submit our lives to him, we not only receive salvation, but we receive a new manager. He governs our affairs. Secondly, we are to use discernment in how these commands work in our daily lives. These commands are not absolute. If they were truly absolute, we would be taken advantage of at every turn. We have to use discernment when someone needs something we have, which God provided. There may be cases in which God wants you to give to someone you know is trying to take advantage of you. There are other times when the need is not a legitimate need, and it would not be appropriate. Whatever the case we find ourselves in, we must not ignore these commands. When we are taken advantage of, we are not to retaliate.
Remember, the Christian is not the one who bears the sword. That authority belongs to the state.
For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;
for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.
It is not our responsibility to dispense justice. We are to leave that responsibility to the state, whom God gave that authority to. It is the job of the state to enact justice. It stings when they get it wrong, but it is not our job to replace the state as the one who bears the sword.
Jesus is our model.
Jesus is our model.
Like I said previously, we are called to model Jesus. He modeled non-retaliation for us. In 1 Peter, the apostle Peter is writing to a group of Christians who are facing persecution. They are facing persecution by hostile Jews and from the Romans. The followers of Jesus faced such persecution for the first 300 years of their existence. He is writing to them to encourage them to stand strong and remember the example of Christ.
For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,
who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth;
and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;
Jesus was the only truly innocent person to ever live. When they insulted him, he did not trade insult for insult. He was beaten, he was spat on and slapped. He was flogged by Roman soldiers and then forced to carry his own cross until he collapsed in the street from the abuse he had taken. Finally, he was hung naked on a cross in a public execution. Jesus turned the other cheek as people spat on the other. Jesus gave up his cloak and tunic to take the scars for you and me. Jesus walked a mile or two (figuratively) for your benefit and mine. The Bible says we are enemies of God before we come to him for forgiveness of sin through Jesus, who took the wrath of God for us. Where we meant harm toward him, he meant good for us. We are called to model that character for those who would oppose us so they can see a glimpse of the redemptive story.
Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.
If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
“But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
“Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Who you are dictates how you behave. Do you wish you could retaliate? Give it over to God. Entrust yourself to the one who judges rightly. Don’t return evil for evil. This is not the way of Jesus. Instead, turn the other cheek. Go the extra mile. In doing so, you put the character of Christ on display. When you refuse to meet your enemies on their level, it will infuriate them, but it will also show Christ to them.
Are you here today in need of God’s mercy? Rather than retaliate against you for your sins, God sent Jesus to pay the price for your sins. God’s retaliation, his judgment that you deserve has been poured out on Christ. If you want the mercy of God, turn to his Son today. Acknowledge your rebellion. Believe in God’s provision in Jesus, confess our sin, and ask for forgiveness. God promises to come in to all who come to him through his Son Jesus.