-- { Matthew 5:38-42 }  ³⁸‘You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” ³⁹But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; ⁴⁰and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; ⁴¹and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. ⁴²Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.   -- NRSV

Dear Friend, grace and peace be unto you from God our Father, and our Lord and Savior, Jesus, the Christ.  Amen.

This sermon series on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount is about learning who we are, as children of God and followers of Jesus. In knowing who we are, we are enabled by God's grace to make godly decisions and know what to do to live God's Kingdom now.

You may have heard on the news about the tourist who climbed one of the Rapa Nui Island (Easter Island) moai (stone figures) and chipped off an ear lobe for a souvenir. He was caught and was so sorry. I believe it is the mayor of Easter Island who wants his punishment to be the cutting off of one of his ears - an ear for an ear. There was a survey on the internet with three choices of punishment: (1) pay a fine, (2) go to Jail, or (3) have an ear cut off. Just for the fun of it I clicked "Have an ear cut off." And the survey said that almost half the people wanted his ear cut off. So, on to our lesson from Jesus today.

The Law

This law is often thought to be justification for retaliation. However, God's purpose for the law was to show mercy and to limit vengeance. The law of revenge in many societies was unrestrained. If someone injured you or a family member you could exterminate their whole family. This was the uncivilized nature of humankind at it worst. God's law limited retaliation to an equal injury. 

1. This law allowed some justice if a person wished to exercise it.

2. The law was given to the courts to guide judges in the execution of justice.

3. The law could be satisfied with money or some other payment. However, in the case of murder, the murderer was to pay with his life.

This law was given as a restraint, or deterrent, providing a just punishment for a person committing a crime. The victim was, or government was, restrained from exacting terrible vengeance in the form of excessive punishment. I am worried today that vengeance is making a comeback in America. We certainly see it in movies and on TV, shootings in schools and malls, and the third graders who planned to kill their teacher. Is our society losing touch with Jesus' teaching here? 

The real meaning: do not retaliate

Jesus says that a person living God's Kingdom now is not to retaliate. It is important to know what Jesus is saying.

1. Jesus is not saying "do not ever resist evil." Jesus resisted evil. He drove out the money changers from the Temple. Paul resisted evil. There are times when evil must be resisted. Each of us may face such a time.

2. Jesus is saying do not seek evil for evil. Do not seek revenge but forgive and seek healing. Go out of your way to help those who have hurt you. This is living God's Kingdom now.

You are not to be a vengeful person or one who holds a grudge. If you do you will suffer for it - be consumed by it. It will consume your mind like a cancer. It will consume your emotions like a plague. Your inner personhood will be scared.

The ideal behavior: love

Jesus shared three very practical illustrations on how you and I are to treat those who do us wrong.

1. Accept physical injury. The person who slaps with his right hand has to strike with the back of the hand in order to hit someone's right cheek. This is considered an insult. This action has been used to challenge someone to a duel. It shows contempt and bitterness. Jesus is clearly making His point that you and I are not to retaliate against the most terrible insults or bitter contempt against us as His followers. 
   
   You are not to challenge, resent, avenge, retaliate, or enter a legal action against an attacker but be prepared to be hit again. You and I are to absorb the hurt - the insult, slight, criticism, rumor, abuse, threat, or physical attack because of our faith. Trust the matter to God and let Him take care of it. St. Paul says, "Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." (1 Corinthians 13:7)
   
   Does this prevent self-defense from physical harm other than insults to your faith in Jesus? I do not think so, but this is up to you to determine in your own heart. I do believe evil needs to be resisted in our society and world today, while at the same time we try to live God's Kingdom now. That isn't easy.

2. Accept property injury. The tunic referred to was the inner garment a person wore - the underwear. The cloak was the long robe-like outer garment. William Barclay says that Jewish law allowed a man's tunic to be given as a pledge, but the cloak could never be taken. The reason was simply that a man would have a number of tunics, but he might have only one cloak.
   
   Jesus' point is clearly this. You and I are not to fight over property. Have you ever noticed that we even do this in the church? We can fight over the color of the carpet in the Sanctuary, the paint on the walls, the liturgy for the service. These are selfish things and we must move beyond them to live God's Kingdom now and be about reaching the world with God's love.
   
   The world is full of division and disputes, bitterness and hatred, quarrels and wars. It is not to be this way with the church. You are called to be a person of peace, not war. Keep your mind on the things of God, not your self. 

3. Accept any forced burden. In the time of Jesus citizens of a conquered country could be forced into service at any time- compelled to carry water, supplies, etc.
   
   Jesus is saying that if a believer is forced to go a mile, he should go twice as far. In other words, your primary concern, and my primary concern, is to care for people with a burden. Going the second mile in service is not easy. It must be done with the right spirit - no bitterness, resentment, grumbling, complaining, criticizing. It means that you and I do our service with a forgiving and joyful heart.

The great Christian ethic: give

No surprise here, right? You and I are to be the best helpers of those in need. No, not the United Way. No, not American Idol Gives Back. No, not Oprah's giving program so you can feel good. The Church, you, me and all the followers of Jesus around the world. Christians are to help those in need. We always have. It is our mission. Jesus allows no excuses. The picture is simple: when someone asks, the Christian gives and does not turn away. However, the Bible does not say to give without discretion. 

You and I need to know our ability to give and how much God wants us to give, and if the person requesting help has a real need. 

Jesus' point is this: His followers are to live in readiness - a readiness to give and to lend to those who ask. You and I exist for ministry, helping and giving to those who have need. In fact Scripture says that we work a job for two reasons: to meet our own needs, and to help others in need. 

If you are a cheerful giver, you are loved by God in a very special way. The only way for a Christian to give is cheerfully. Even if you or I are misled by a professional scam artist that is ok, because our motives are pure. We do not want to miss helping someone who is really in need.

The writer to the Hebrews makes God's will clear, "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." (Hebrews 13:16)

So remember, you and I are not to exercise an eye for an eye, or an ear for an ear. You are not to hold a grudge or seek revenge for a harm done to you. You, as a follower of Jesus, are to love and forgive. You are called to live God's Kingdom now by being a forgiving and giving follower of Jesus.

In Jesus Name,