Kingdom Retaliation
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
Retaliation at Falls Creek. Turning off hot water heater to koolaid in shower heads to stealing clothing and bedding.
Retaliation is nothing new.
About a year ago, we looked at the life of Samson (Judges 14-15)
His riddle led to a threat and him striking down 30 men. Then after his almost wife was given away to another, he burned their fields. This led to the Philistines raiding a community of Jews. This led to Samson killing 1,000 Philistines.
Retaliation always includes escalation.
We experience this, and often participate in it.
Jesus shows us a better way.
Torah - Pursue Justice
Torah - Pursue Justice
v. 38
Lex Talionis = exact retaliation
A standard for justice that influences even to today.
Ancient principle. Mesopotamian law. Code of Hammurabi.
[Eye for eye]
eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; whatever injury he has given a person shall be given to him.
Your eye shall not pity. It shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
Justice requires perfect balance.
Neither too high nor too low.
[Scales]
The application was to establish value in what was loss.
One issue written about was the possibility of a tooth. A good tooth knocked out, so they take a bad tooth.
Typical application was to assign a monetary value to the loss.
Early Falls Creek list. How much do you value an arm?
The responsibility fell to elders within the community to establish.
The whole point was to place a cap on what could be done to the perpetrator.
Emphasize justice not vengeance.
True Intention - Don’t Escalate
True Intention - Don’t Escalate
vv. 39 - 41
Do not resist evil.
Play on words. “anti”: Eye for Eye. Tooth for Tooth. Do not “for stand.”
“Do not stand in the place of…”
He gives three examples:
First, turning the other cheek. Not physical attacks.
This is a traditional, calculated insult. Backhand. Indignity.
We might think of Will Smith and Chris Rock a few years ago.
Absorb the insult.
Not get even. By turning the other cheek, inviting them to strike as an equal.
Second, to give someone your cloak also.
Tunic = inner / cloak = outer
Again, an issue of an indignity.
Suing for your underwear, so offer them your cloak too.
If ever you take your neighbor’s cloak in pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down,
Wear the indignity.
To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?
Third, forced labor. Roman mile. But keep going.
Use the injury.
These demonstrate the character of Jesus.
I’m not concerned with myself, my rights…
Transformation - Bless Others
Transformation - Bless Others
v. 42
Here we see a total reversal in what Jesus is talking about. The power dynamic shifts.
Transform from receiving indignation to giving dignity.
Jesus is referring to those with legitimate needs.
When Helping Hurts - a study of the damage benevolence can do.
Where we do need discernment in a lot of situations.
When we have this transformation, we think less about wrongs done to me and more about how I can serve.
This has an amazing effect on mental health.
There is power in serving others.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Jesus isn’t fair.
The way we rebelled.
He sets the example for us.
What He could have done!
Do you know who I am? My rights? Struck us all down. Hit the reset button.
And that would be just.
Yet,
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
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.
This is one of the most revolutionary things Jesus did.
Jesus rejected revenge and chose love.
May we humble ourselves and serve others, even those that we think don’t deserve it.
We certainly didn’t deserve Jesus.