2010-02-24 Revenge

Matthew 5:38-42

Jesus reveals God to humankind.

The pinnacle of his life was his death, burial, and resurrection.

More than anything else, HIS PASSION, revealed that God is a God of Justice, Truth, Mercy, and Grace.

Jesus reveals God to humankind.

The end of his life was the exclamation point, but everything thing he said /did along the way was building up to the cross.

Jesus did not mess around, or waste his words, or relax (think about nothing). Everything had meaning because he was doing what God the Father wanted, and God never rests or stops reaching out to humans.

We are still examining Jesus' first major public lecture, the Sermon on the Mount.

So far, Jesus has warned everyone about the kingdom of God, murder, adultery, and lying. Tonight he goes into your personal space, in your face, with a teaching that is challenging.

Matthew 5:38, Jesus begins,

You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person.

The Old Testament allowed for revenge in personal matters, whether accidental or purposeful.

At the time, this was a good thing because it limited revenge and set a tone of finality in personal injury issues.

If someone hurt you, then they had to pay for it.  Revenge may not be the best word for it.

Old Testament revenge was more about retribution and justice.

2 ways to pay in the Old Testament:

1. Suffer identical physical loss

2. Pay money to compensate the person who was injured.

God was teaching temperance. Justice was the point, not revenge. This is where Jesus steps in to expand upon something that the people had forgotten about.

People were using the teachings of the Old Testament to justify their own anger and desire to FIGHT for their own personal rights. 

Yes, God wanted justice, but God also wanted MERCY.

Later, Jesus refers to mercy as a weightier matter than the justice that people were always expecting.

Jesus says to not seek revenge.

Do not resist an evil person. Jesus gives 4 examples to clarify what he was talking about.

Notice that these examples are not all inclusive, they are specific and limited to instances of personal attack.

AGAIN - this is about personal matters. 

Jesus does not say, let evil do whatever it wants at all times.

Jesus is addressing personal revenge, that feeling of rage and anger that wells up within us to not only get even, but get more.

Example 1 – whack attack

If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other.

Jesus expects you to end the fight.

Jesus expects you to not start the fight.

Jesus expects you to not strike back in revenge. Peacemaker.

Example 2 – wallet attack

And if someone wants to sue you and take your sweater, let him have your jacket as well.

Jesus expects you to end disputes on your own.

Jesus expects you to give up some rights.

Jesus expects you to not cling to stuff, money, or possessions.

If giving up your coat can end a dispute, give it up. Peacemaker.

Example 3 – warrior attack

If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.

Jesus expects you to go beyond what is required.

How could a Christian talk about God to a Roman and really love that Roman and show it? Go an extra mile. Peacemaker.

Example 4 –

Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Jesus expects you to have compassion.

Jesus expects you to be a helper in this world, and not helpless.

Jesus wants the world to turn to his people and get their needs met.

Balance this out with later New Testament teachings about widows and work.

Young widows were expected to remarry or work and support themselves. They were not allowed to be taken care of the same way the church took care of an older, truly needy widow.

In the Epistles it is taught that if a man does not work, he should not eat.

If some young dude comes here asking to borrow money, I'll point blank ask him why he can't take care of himself.

Then I ask him about asking his family first, and then his friends, and then changing his lifestyle. Stop wasting the money you do have on gambling, porn, smoking, and drinking and then the church will help you meet your true need.

The truly needy people are those whose house just burned down or got flooded.

The truly needy people are the kids starving in Haiti, being sexually exploited in Thailand, and getting sold into slavery in India.

Are you, as a follower of Christ giving to those in need?

This is a world of pain and suffering.

Jesus wants his people to be the peacemakers.

Will you lay down your rights to make peace?