Matthew 5:38-42 • Jesus & Non-Violence
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Matthew 5:38-42 - 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Context
• Lex Talionis - the law of just retribution (eye for an eye).
• Exodus 21:22-24 - If there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.
• Leviticus 24:19-20 - Anyone who injures their neighbor is to be injured in the same manner: fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. The one who has inflicted the injury must suffer the same injury.
• Deuteronomy 19:21 - Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
The Ethic of Love
• Scot McKnight - “Jesus’ words take the lex talionis (the law of just retribution) to a different place: that law was concerned with the requirement of equal retribution while Jesus undermines the requirement and reshapes how his followers are to respond to perpetrators.”
• The ethic of love is rooted in the character of God, revealed fully in Jesus, and displayed through his people.
• “You have heard that it was said…But I tell you, “Be ready for an act of grace.”
Resistance ≠ Passivity
Romans 12:17-21 - 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
The Slap
• Matthew:5:39 - If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them on the other cheek also.
The Cloak
• Matthew 5:40 - And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.
• How do you respond to injustice if you lack any power to shift the system toward change?
An Extra Mile
• Matthew 5:41 - If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.
• Between passivity and violence is a world of possibilities.
Generosity
• Matthew 5:42 - Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
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Each Sunday we come together we offer an open invitation into the way of Jesus. An invitation to enter into sacred rhythms - to draw near to God through singing, giving, learning, and praying.
As a community that desires renewal in Des Moines as it is in Heaven, we recognize that we cannot offer what we ourselves do not have. We cannot lead where we ourselves have not been led; in turn, these questions aim at reflection. Reflecting on God’s word and making space for his leadership.
After watching or listening consider the following discussion questions as a large group or in groups of three to four:
What stood out from the teaching?
How does Francis of Assisi embody the alternative way of Jesus?
Why is this manner of life so difficult to embrace for women and men living in modern America?
What is the most compelling and most challenging facet of Jesus’ teaching on an alternative way to violence?