The Good Life:Seeking good by not resisting evil (Matthew 5:38-42)

Excessive Retribution

At the end of World War I, Woodrow Wilson reportedly advised that the victors should extend the hand of love to the vanquished. Someone accused him of talking like Jesus Christ. Would say that others had done the same, and the harsh terms of peace placed on Germany made the nation ripe for a demagogue like Hitler. Under his leadership, the nation sought to avenge the humiliating restrictions.

The vengeance of one nation cost the U.S. economy over $4 trillion. Countless cities, architecture, monuments, homes, and farmland were destroyed worldwide. By the end of World War II, approximately 70-85 million people died, which accounted for 3% of the estimated global population in 1940. Excessive retribution was at the heart of the reason for the most costly and deadliest war of the twentieth century. I think excessive retribution is in the heart of every human being.

If you are like me, I've always had a skewed self-centered sense of justice and retribution. Whatever someone did wrong to me, I wanted them to suffer three times as much. That is why when I first watched the Jesus film, I did not understand why Jesus allowed the Jews and Romans to abuse him the way they did. To add insult to injury, they made him carry his cross through the Via Delarosa, the Way of Suffering, to Golgatha, the hill they would crucify him. The gospels record his life and ministry. Historians such as Josephus recorded Jesus’ life and ministry. By all accounts, He was an innocent man, a just man, good man. He did not deserve to die like a snake oil conman or murderous criminal. Of anyone born on this earth, Jesus had the right to retaliate against the Jews and Rome by calling on ten thousand legions of angels to defend him. Why didn't he seek immediate retribution for his own honor when he had the power and right to do it? Surely his enemies deserved his justice and his wrath.

Well, Jesus was not like us. He did not have a skewed self-centered sense of justice. He was a lover of justice, so much so, he went to the cross to satisfy God’s justice. But he did not look at retribution the same way we look at it.

In our text this morning he is going to turn the world upside down. When we are sinned against or taken advantage of by and evil doer, instead of repaying evil for evil, Jesus says do not resist one committing evil. In fact, seek their good by laying down your rights for Jesus’ sake. Everything in you will fight this teaching because your sinful nature is wired with skewed sense of justice that is incredibly excessive toward your self-interests. Jesus, however, is calling you to live a better life, a more peaceful life, a life like he lived, in his kingdom now. That life is going to require you to sacrifice your sense of justice and trust God’s perfect justice and his perfect time to administer it. Just as Jesus did, you will have to entrust yourself to the one who judges justly.

To get started, Jesus begins his discussion on retribution with a well known judicial rule in Israel, “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” What does this rule mean? Was it a bad rule? How does Jesus interpret the law? What does it mean in light of Jesus’ teaching on retribution?

The Old Testament sets parameters on vengeance (Matthew 5:38)

In verse 38, Jesus references what has been called the “lex talionis,” which is latin for, “The Law of Retaliation.” The “Law of Retaliation,” comes from Israel’s penal code given to them by Moses. When the first generation came out of Egypt, Moses told them,

Exodus 21:23–25 ESV

23 But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

In the book of Leviticus, he reiterated

Leviticus 24:19–20 ESV

19 If anyone injures his neighbor, as he has done it shall be done to him, 20 fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; whatever injury he has given a person shall be given to him.

Before the conquest generation entered the Promised Land, in his last sermon, Moses said,

Deuteronomy 19:21 ESV

21 Your eye shall not pity. It shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

Most people in the West see the Lex Talionis as cruel and vindictive.

In the context of civil rights and the injustice of Jim Crowe laws, Martin Luther King Jr. seems to be critical of the Lex Talionis when he says,

That old law about “an eye for an eye” leaves everybody blind.

Martin Luther King Jr. (Baptist Minister and Civil Rights Activist)

Jim Powell, a well known pastor seems to agree with King when he noted

7331 We do not live under a law of the jungle, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. We have a new law: Love one another as I have loved you.

John Powell

Is Jesus being critical of Israel’s penal code as well? I don’t think so. To understand Jesus’ teaching on retribution, we need some context into the Lex Talionis.

What was the purpose of the penal code Moses gave Israel?

It’s important to keep in mind, the Mosaic law was designed to govern Israelite society while it functioned as a nation-state. It needed to include laws for governing all individuals residing within the borders of political Israel, regardless of whether their hearts had been transformed by God. This means it applied to both those who were part of the people of God and those who were not. (Thielman, Frank. 2013. “Matthew.” In Gospel Transformation Bible: English Standard Version)

God made rules for proper retribution to protect his people from excessive punishment. Consider for a moment Lamech who killed a young man simply because he struck him (Gen 4:23). Or think about how King David almost killed Nabal for not returning kindness to him for protecting his flock. Abigail showed up just in time to ease his temper and keep him from vengeance. David even acknowledged as much to Abigail when he thanked her for keeping his hands from bloodshed and from avenging himself with his own hands, even potentially harming Abigail and killing all of Nabal’s men (1 Sam 25:32-34).

An “eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,” was given to Israel’s judicial officials as formula to follow to ensure proportionate retribution. In other words, God was making sure that his people had a rule that helped the punishment fit the crime. It was a means of grace to on the one hand, allow proper justice to be administered for the victim, and on the other hand protect the criminal from excessive punishment.

Jesus did not criticize the 'eye for an eye' principle in his teachings. He understood its purpose, intent, and necessity. His approach was more of a general principle than an absolute mandate. There are times when resistance is necessary, and evil must be restrained. James and Peter encourage Christians to resist the devil (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:9). David fought against armies attacking God’s people (2 Samuel 5:6-25). God told Joshua that no one would be able to resist him in the land of Canaan (Joshua 1:5). Paul said that God uses government to restrain evil as an 'agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer (Romans 13:1-4).' There are times when our nation must restrain the evil of tyrants and dictators; otherwise, the wicked prosper and no one is safe.

The Bible tells us to defend the defenseless such as widows and orphans (Exodus 22:22; James 1:27; Jeremiah 49:11).

So, the lex talionis was a principle applied to the larger society as a whole, and Jesus is not doing away with it. Instead, Jesus is focusing in on your personal resentment, spite, and vengeance (John MacArthur).

Matthew 5:39 ESV

39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

The evil person is the one who is acting wickedly toward you. The main idea behind resisting an evildoer is non-retaliation. "Not resisting" means refraining from seeking vengeance. The focus is on showing kindness when personally attacked instead of protecting your own honor. In the kingdom of God, for those who live the good life, you are to, as Paul says,

Romans 12:17–19 ESV

17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

We live in a society that finds pleasure in personal vengeance. Denzel Washington has made a career out of playing characters who administer vigilante justice, like the Equalizer. How many of you, especially men, did not get tingles in on your neck when Robert McCall is sitting down with Russian mobster Nicolai Itchenko who kills anyone he wants at will. He’s the antagonist, the evil one acting wickedly toward innocent people, and McCall says, “"The men I killed, your men... I gave them a chance, they made their decision... Now I'm giving you the opportunity to make yours.” And we are well aware that Robert McCall is the Equalizer. He does in fact kill the entire Russian mob organization.

I love Denzel Washington as an actor, and I love the movie The Equalizer. The issue for me is Jesus is nowhere to be found in the script. Furthermore, how many of us and our children develop our sense of retribution from Hollywood? How many of us feed our self-centered sense of justice with the world’s commitment to not resist the one who acts wickedly toward you? Jesus says to not resist the evil one and he offers three illustrations of personal vengeance.

Jesus prohibited three kinds of personal vengeance (Matthew 5:39-42)

Personal vengeance through violence (Matthew 5:39)

In ancient times, slapping someone's face was a way to humiliate them and strip them of their dignity, particularly men. The word "slaps" in Greek, "rhapizo," referred to a sharp insult delivered by a slap. A slap on the right cheek often involved using the back of the hand, which was considered a severe attack on one's honor and a great disgrace, even worse than being struck on the back with a whip. It was a profound insult that made the recipient feel less than human. When faced with such indignity, one's natural reaction would be to retaliate with anger. However, Jesus challenged his followers to respond differently. Instead of seeking revenge, they were to willingly endure the insult and offer the other cheek. This was a radical and counterintuitive command, as it required them to relinquish their right to seek retribution and defend their honor.

Notably, Jesus did not provide a rationale for turning the other cheek. He did not promise that it would shame the offender or prompt them to repent or feel remorse. In fact, the person might even take up the offer and slap you again. Turning the other cheek did not guarantee a resolution akin to a Hallmark movie ending where apologies are exchanged, reconciliations made, and everyone lives happily ever after.

What are you resting in at the moment you are slapped, and the person shows no remorse whatsoever? I think Peter is helpful in reminding us how Jesus handled being slapped, dishonored, and unjustly crucified. Speaking of Jesus’s crucifixion Peter says,

1 Peter 2:23 ESV

23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

When you are humiliated and dishonored by someone who acts evil toward you, it's important to fully trust in the one who not only sympathizes with you but also judges justly – the risen Christ.

Personal Vengeance through the courts (Matthew 5:40)

Jesus offers a second prohibition. He says,

Matthew 5:40 ESV

40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.

A tunic is a shirt that is worn underneath a cloak. If someone incurred a debt to their neighbor or local business, the person owed money could take their tunic as collateral. It was against the law to take someone’s cloak because it was used as a blanket to keep a person warm at night. Mosaic Law strictly forbids taking a person’s cloak as collateral (Exodus 22:26-27; Deuteronomy 24:12-13).

In this case, if you owe someone a debt, it is lawful for them to take your tunic as collateral. However, if they also want your coat, they might be trying to take advantage of you. Even though the law of Moses would clearly prohibit them from taking your coat, Jesus says to give them your coat as well.

Is Jesus calling us to simply give away everything we have until we have nothing left? Not really. Doraini makes a good point when he says we need to pay attention to exaggeration and use common sense. Jesus is telling us not to focus on defending our honor and seeking revenge for every insult.

Let's consider a lawsuit for a moment. It's embarrassing, expensive, and really unpleasant to be sued. We often feel compelled to protect our integrity and honor.‌

Does the same thing happen when we are falsely accused of something? For example, your wife accuses you of eating the last hamburger when it was actually your child. Your brother accuses you of taking his coins out of his drawer when it was really Dad who took them to use for the car wash. He even left a note saying he would repay the money, but it fell in the trash. Your boss accuses you of using too much overtime when, in fact, you donated your time for a charity event. In these moments, we feel the need to defend our integrity. However, Jesus says to let it go. There is no need to defend your honor on every front. Love must cover a multitude of sins. There may come times when action is needed, and a leader's honor needs to be restored. Very well. We can discern those moments. But in the everyday life of the church, community, and home, more often than not, love can cover many grievances.

Personal Vengeance through withholding acts of kindness (Matthew 5:41-42)

William Wordsworth once said,

The best portion of a good life is little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love.

—William Wordsworth

William Wordsworth (English Poet)

Living the good life in God’s kingdom should be filled with acts of kindness. We should be generous with our kindness to those who are agreeable to us. But what about those who take advantage of you, insult, or even mock you?

During the time when Rome ruled Jerusalem, there was a practice called compulsion, in which Roman officials could force their subjects to perform menial tasks or carry loads on their backs. It is believed that Roman soldiers were allowed to force the Jews to carry their gear for up to 1000 paces, which was a Roman mile. An example of this practice can be seen when Simon the Cyrenian was forced to carry Jesus' cross. This practice was hated by the Jews who were oppressed by the Romans. It fostered hatred for Rome among the Zealots, a group of Jews committed to overthrowing the Roman government. The Zealots tried to revolt against Rome and suffered heavy losses.

This situation is similar to the story of the Stoic philosopher Epictetus (AD 50-120), who advised that if a soldier takes a man's donkey, the man should "Let it go, do not resist nor complain. If you do, you will get a beating and lose your donkey anyway" (Epictetus, Discourses, trans. W. A. Oldfather (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1966), 4.1.79 (p. 269).

Jesus also teaches a similar concept, urging people to "go the extra mile," accept the imposition, and volunteer to go beyond what is expected for the soldier's sake. This idea goes against the world's expectations, which often encourage demanding one's rights. As R. T. France points out, going the extra mile for anyone would be remarkable, but doing so for an enemy was unheard of (France, R. T. 2007. The Gospel of Matthew). Jesus calls for this extraordinary level of behavior in our giving. In verse 42,

Matthew 5:42 ESV

42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

Jesus expects his disciples to show extraordinary generosity. Don't assume that a beggar is a drug addict who deserves to be on the street because of bad decisions. Don't expect to be fully repaid if you lend to someone. Instead, offer it as a gift first and foremost. If you are repaid, that's great. If not, won't the Lord see your generosity and reward you? Also, imagine how much goodwill you can generate by helping your enemy in their time of need. Though it's not guaranteed, with the grace of God, it is certainly possible. What does Paul say to us about being generous to your enemies?

Romans 12:19–21 ESV

19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

In summary, the point of Matthew 5:38-42, is

Christian, Jesus calls you to seek the good of those who do evil to you by enduring humiliation and letting go of your honor for Jesus sake.

When it comes to your own interests, the emphasis is on "turning the other cheek," "giving them your coat," and "going the extra mile." Essentially, the message is to avoid retaliating and trust in Jesus' defense.

For Jesus' sake, endure humiliation.

When Jesus said, "turn the other cheek," he meant that you should be willing to endure humiliation for his sake, prioritizing his honor over your own. He urges us to respond to insults and attacks with grace, just as he did when he was questioned and mistreated by the High Priest and Pilate. Jesus trusted in his Father's justice which led him to the cross and ultimately vindicated him through his resurrection.

For Jesus’ sake, let go of your honor.

Jesus used a lawsuit to once again illustrate the principle of non-retaliation. In this context, someone was suing a believer for a debt. It was considered humiliating to be taken to court in Jesus' day, especially if the accusations were false.

Jesus teaches us not to spend our time and energy defending our honor or seeking revenge. There's no need to retaliate. Instead, we should accept humiliation and dishonor for the sake of Jesus and have faith that the Father will defend us.

Jesus knows that it's difficult for you to grasp this teaching. It goes against every part of our broken human nature to not defend our honor.

Follow Jesus’ example.

Jesus set an example for us at the cross. When you feel tempted to react with anger to an injustice done to you, don't follow the path of Nazi Germany, a path of excessive retaliation. Instead, follow the example of the Lord Jesus Christ who chose to walk the Via Dolorosa, The Way of Suffering, in order to give His life as a ransom for vengeance seeking sinners like you and I. He chose the way of suffering so that he could bring about eternal peace to his broken world through his death, resurrection, and ascension. The same Christ who turned the other cheek at his unjust trial, who didn’t utter a word when he was unjustly flogged, who did not defend his honor as he was nailed to a cross, who prayed for his enemies to be forgiven as he gave up his Spirit, who descended to hell, and was raised from the grave, He lives inside of you.

Walk by the Spirit

Furthermore, He gave us His Spirit to empower us to resist retaliating in the way our natural instincts desire. Your life must be bearing the fruit of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

God will bring people and circumstances that will help you bear the fruit of the Spirit. People will act wickedly toward you. Justice will be delayed. But you must surrender to the Spirit and bear His fruit.

Entrust yourself to the one who judges rightly

God will be our defender. He promises to make right every wrong and bring justice to every injustice. Entrust your vengeance to Him. He will right every wrong and bring justice and peace in its entirety when he comes back to rule and reign as King. Be encouraged by this future reality. Jesus is coming back to judge the living and the dead. Vengeance will be his. For those in Christ, eternal life. For the evil one, eternal judgement.

Matthew 25:31–46 ESV

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”