From the Mouth of the Master- Part 10- Matthew 5:38-42

Introduction

Tonight we see the 5th of six of these similar statements from Jesus regarding the misinterpretation and misapplication of the law of God.

Once again Jesus confronts the culture and provides a fresh interpretation of the law for His disciples and those listening.

In this passage, Jesus speaks regarding retaliation and gives valuable instruction on how the disciple of Christ is to respond when he is abused or mistreated.

Again this instruction raises the bar for those who will follow Christ and sets a new standard by which we must live.

Let us once again first see...

The Letter of the Law (Vs. 38, Exodus 21:24, Deuteronomy 19:21, & Leviticus 24:20)

Jesus begins once more with a reference to the Mosaic law which would have been familiar to His disciples.

Exodus 21:24 KJV 1900

Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,

Deuteronomy 19:19–21 KJV 1900

Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you. And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you. And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

Leviticus 24:20 KJV 1900

Breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth: as he hath caused a blemish in a man, so shall it be done to him again.

That which was given in the law, was given for judicial purposes regarding the punishment of one who had been convicted of wrong.

This law was given to provide restraint to revenge and retaliation so that the punishment was fitting for the crime which was committed.

This law was apparently used to justify retaliation against individuals in personal conflicts. One can easily imagine these personal attacks extending indefinitely for some wrong which was done.

Hatfields and Mccoys- vengeance and retaliation continued until both families were literally destroyed

Many interpreted this law as the minimum punishment required for crimes committed and would even use this same standard in the settling of personal scores.

Once again Jesus offers to His disciples...

A Fresh Interpretation (Vs. 39)

The word “resist” here means to oppose or to show hostility towards, basically Jesus is saying that the disciple of Christ must not retaliate in hostility.

Jesus instructs his disciples to respond differently when they are mistreated and abused by those who oppose them and the God they represent.

We see this instruction exemplified when the disciples were unjustly persecuted, imprisoned, and beaten for proclaiming the gospel. They did not retaliate, but rather they rejoiced and carried on preaching Christ!

This passage is not intended to be an instruction to believer to be pacifists who never defend themselves, but is given as instruction for responding to those who would mistreat or abuse him.

Romans 12:17–19 KJV 1900

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

1 Corinthians 6:6–7 KJV 1900

But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?

Throughout the New Testament, we see this instruction to refrain from retaliation and revenge, when we have been mistreated.

Illustration- man who nearly started a fight at VBS in front of a crowd of children

Imagine how radical this must have been for the disciples who had likely seen the law carried out on many occasions and vengeance meted out. Now they are instructed instead to take wrong and to refrain from vengeance.

The disciple of Christ’s character must instead be marked by a radical generosity and a willingness to suffer abuse and to return kindness.

It is not as though the disciple of Christ does not have the right to retaliate, but he voluntarily chooses not to retaliate because of his relationship with Christ.

Jesus then moves immediately to...

The Practical Implications (Vs. 39b-42)

Jesus details some specific examples where this instruction should be implemented.

He begins first with a strong statement regarding the disciple of Christ’s response to personal attacks. The disciple of Christ does not retaliate, he may certainly defend himself but he will avoid violence except when it is absolutely necessary.

Jesus Himself chose to avoid retaliation when He was mocked, spat upon, and smote with the palms of their hands.

Matthew 26:67–68 KJV 1900

Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?

The disciples did not retaliate when they were beaten and persecuted for Christ’s sake.

Acts 5:40–42 KJV 1900

And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

We have heard the saying “turn the other cheek” but if we are to be disciples of Christ, we must actually put this into practice in our lives.

The second example that Jesus gives is that of being sued in a court of law. Here he says that if a man seeks to take away the coat (an undergarment akin to a t-shirt), you should not only give him the coat but the cloak (the more valuable outer garment) also.

Again this is contrary to our natural tendencies to plead for our rights and to defend what is ours.

Finally Jesus gives the example of someone who would compel you to go a mile (it is often assumed that in mind here was the Roman soldiers ability to compel a person to carry their burden for a mile) and Jesus says that the disciple will not only carry the burden a mile but will go even further to carry in a second mile.

This would have been a shocking statement to many who felt that they should not even be compelled to go the first mile.

In essence each of these examples Jesus is presenting the idea that the disciple of Christ does not demand his rights, does not retaliate against his enemies, but practices mercy and a radical generosity.

This is shown in the final statement of this portion of Jesus’ sermon. The disciple is to give to him that asks and never to turn away those who would borrow from you.

This seems to be a way of life that would lead to injury, bankruptcy, and ruin, but the disciple of Christ simply puts his trust in Christ and follows His instruction trusting that God will defend him and protects and provide for him.

Again when we practice this way of life, there will be a drastic distinction between the disciple of Christ and the people of the world and we will have the opportunity to reach the world.

When we instead continue to respond in the flesh like those who do not follow Christ, we lose this distinction and we lose the opportunity to reach the world.

Conclusion

Jesus once again presents a radical way of life that is completely foreign to those who are not followers of Christ.

When you and I choose to live as Christ commands, the distinction between the followers of Christ and the world becomes much more visible and this allows us a much greater opportunity to reach the world for Christ.

What an example Jesus was of this radical way of life! Jesus allowed sinful men to mock, ridicule, and beat Him. He allowed them to nail Him to a rugged cross as a criminal condemned, and He laid down His life for all mankind, knowing that many would hate and reject Him. When He could have retaliated, He chose instead to suffer to make our redemption possible.

1 Peter 2:20–24 KJV 1900

For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

He died for you and if you have never placed your faith in Him, I would urge you to come today and trust Him as savior!