“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye,
and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone
strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” Matt. 5.38,39
The directive of Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth
is stated three times in the Old Testament. The first, in Exodus 21.24
considers a pregnant woman who may be hit and injured by fighting men. In the
case of serious injury to the woman, the penalty was to apply. In Leviticus
24.20 the situation is of fighting between neighbours, while Deuteronomy 19.21
concerns false witness being given in court. It appears that each case
illustrates the so-called law of retaliation, and the references are meant to
show that the punishment is to fit the crime but not to be excessive of it.
However, in Matthew’s narrative Jesus would
appear to be invoking the “law of love”. As I ponder on this, I see that Jesus
is offering me an alternative. It’s as if He’s saying, “You have a choice. You may go
with the law of retaliation and exact a punishment. But, be warned, the
punishment is not to exceed the crime. Yet, if you say you are a Christian, I
ask you to follow the law of love. If your aim is simply to seek vengeance,
then the law of retaliation is the way for you. But if you are more concerned
with the health and wellbeing – of everyone – then you need to follow the law
of love. It is the law of love rather than the law of retaliation that holds in
the kingdom of God.”
It may often be far more difficult to follow
the law of love rather than the law of retaliation, but I know the way I’d like
to go.
Lord Jesus,
I choose the law of love. I ask You to help me to follow this choice. Give me
wisdom and insight to see the right way to go. Strengthen me to go that way.
Lead me and walk with me, in the fullness of love. Amen.
My book “God Talk” is available through major Internet booksellers.
A taste of the book's content can be seen in the You Tube clip (Search: Peter Francis - "God Talk").
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