A few years ago some young men stole my car. They crashed it, damaging it beyond repair, and I was never compensated for it. I even had to pay to have the car towed away from the crash site! By rights, those thieves should have replaced what they stole.
That type of justice was reflected in the Old Testament rule of eye-for-eye and tooth-for-tooth (Exodus 21:24; Matthew 5:38). The law taught that people had a right to expect in return exactly what was taken from them. Jesus, however, called His followers to something more radical. “Do not resist an evil person!” (Matthew 5:39). He gave four illustrations of what He meant:
An insulting slap to the face was prosecutable under Jewish and Roman law. Jesus said not to slap back or prosecute (Matthew 5:39). Jewish law ensured the protection of one’s clothes Exodus 22:26-27). But Jesus said that if one’s shirt was stolen, offer your coat too (Matthew 5:40). Roman soldiers could commandeer any citizen for labor. Jesus said to not simply do what the oppressor asks, but to do even more (Matthew 5:41). People who had no “right” to ask for money will ask for it. Jesus said we are not to evade them, but give to them (Matthew 5:42).
Jesus wasn’t saying that evil should be rewarded or that self-defense is wrong. Neither was He offering laws to be followed rigidly. What He was advocating is this: Forgo all retaliation and seek the best for those who harm you. Your oppressor may have a legitimate need for a shirt, money, or help—overlook their wrong and serve them. Your oppressor may simply be evil, but your contrasting behavior may jolt him or her to repentance (Romans 12:17-21).
I wonder what might have happened if I’d been able to meet the youths who stole my car, discover their real needs . . . and serve them.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Genesis 41:1-36
More:
Read Isaiah 50:6, Mark 14:65, Mark 15:16-20 to see how Jesus followed His own example of nonretaliatory service to His oppressors.
Next:
How is someone treating you badly at the moment? How might you creatively serve them in the spirit of Jesus?
tom felten on January 24, 2013 at 9:25 am
Sheridan, as I was thinking about seeking the best for those who harm you, I was reminded of a command found in both the Old and New Testaments ““Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:18); “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:30). We must love our neighbors—even those that aren’t kind.
sheridan voysey on January 25, 2013 at 4:36 am
That’s it, Tom – and it was already present in the Old Testament. Now, doing it… that’s the harder part.
roxanne robbins on January 24, 2013 at 12:25 pm
This conversation is timed well with Les Mis in the theaters. I’m constantly encouraged and challenged by the priest in the story that extends grace to Jean Valjean after he stole silver.
By God’s grace we can and should extend grace. Our hearts and lives are always in a better place when we do.
sheridan voysey on January 25, 2013 at 4:37 am
I saw the West End version recently, Roxanne – such an amazing story of transforming grace!
yemiks1 on January 24, 2013 at 1:13 pm
Thank God for the message.
winn collier on January 29, 2013 at 1:32 pm
Forgiveness, love and relationship are never the easy way are they?
tom felten on January 30, 2013 at 9:12 am
No, they’re not winn. Considering what Jesus gave to provide those things was unimaginably difficult and painful.