Christmas and the start of indoor track and field season at work has kept me away from this for far too long. I'm excited to post this next blog and hope I can get back on track with some consistent time working through this.
In Matthew 5:38-42, Jesus gives us five examples of His instructions regarding what to do with the vengeful assertion that we should 'take an eye for an eye'. The origin of this idea is that is the way God instructed the Jews to administer justice among the Israelites (Exodus 21:24, coming in the laws God gave Moses directly after the Ten Commandments, and in Levitecus 24:20).
Jesus' instructions in this text could be misunderstood as telling us to be push-overs, letting people take advantage of us, and never stand up for anything. It's a mistake to think that is what He is saying. Jesus, in the hours leading up to His death certainly demonstrated 'turning the other cheek'. However, if you read the section as a whole and notice the theme, the point is to tell us not to seek revenge. In each of the occasions He references, one could either seek revenge, or comply and 'go the second mile'. We should show love to the one who seek to harm us, not vengeance. "It is Mine to avenge, I will repay", Paul reminds us in Romans 12:19, quoting Deuteronomy 32:35.
The book of Acts gives us plenty of examples of the early Apostles and disciples standing up for Jesus and not being push-overs.
Reading this in context of the rest of the bible shows that the point is love, not vengeance.
Up next: Jesus' Command #10 - Love your enemies (a GREAT follow up to this command)
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