RETALIATE BY FORGIVING

Matthew 5:38-42 (CSB) – “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.  But I tell you, don’t resist an evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. As for the one who wants to sue you and take away your shirt, let him have your coat as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to the one who asks you, and don’t turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”

Ever heard someone say, “I don’t get mad – I get even.” That my friend is the way of the world system, the flesh. There is not a person alive who has not been wronged in some way. We have all had our feelings hurt. We have been misused at some time. And God is fully aware of this.

And, because of the Garden of Eden debacle, we have the in-bred desire to get even. Retaliation is lurking in the dark regions of our being. It is hiding, waiting to emerge at the slightest provocation. We have the ability to control, to choose how we will respond. Jesus tells us that in His Kingdom, there is a right way to respond.

He starts with the basic concept – (verse 38) – The Old Testament law says, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” As with His other points, He is making, He says – “You have heard that it was said….” They had learned this from their Scripture lessons. They had used it as a reason that they could retaliate against everyone that they felt had misused them. However, as with these other areas, Jesus is going to take them to the root of the meaning.

This is where he goes to the broadened concept – (verses 39 – 42) – Jesus says to them to turn the other cheek and to do more than is demanded. But Jesus, isn’t that the opposite of the command? Why would God command us to retaliate, and You tell us not to?

Well, since He wrote the original, shouldn’t He know what it meant? The Scripture they would quote was not a command TO do this, it was a command to LIMIT the judicial response to the issue. If a tooth was knocked out – you couldn’t have the person put to death. In fact, in Jesus’ explanation, we are to ------- wait for it ------- FORGIVE.

Now, when we go to the spiritual lesson from this, we go to God. It gives a picture of the Father forgiving us for our rebellion, our sin against Him. He forgives us, restores us. How – by going the extra mile. By sending Jesus to die upon the cruel Roman Cross for the forgiveness of sin. God turns the other cheek, He goes the extra mile. And in doing that, He wants His citizens of the Kingdom to do the same. To demonstrate to the world around us that God is different, and in turn makes us different.

Today, consider someone who has wronged you, demanded from you, misused you, and then seek to forgive them. And, if possible, let them know that they are forgiven. You just might be the seed that God will use to produce a harvest of blessings.

Remember, our relationship with God is demonstrated by our relationship with others.