Revenge

Every Wednesday, we work our way further through the Sermon on the Mount. I have learned so much through Jon, both on Wednesday nights and over coffee every now and again. He is full of wisdom, great questions, and so much encouragement. It's been a blessing to have him in Manhattan pouring into so many college students.

Last Wednesday, the topic was revenge from Matthew 5:38-48. 

"An eye for an eye"

This was part of the law because people tend to escalate retaliation. If you lost an eye, you might take an arm, and instead of an arm in return, they might take your life. The law was created so that people wouldn't do worse to others than what was done to them. {throughout this sermon, Jesus starts with a piece of the law that has become a mere rule to follow, rather than an overflow of a grateful heart. He then tells them what is really expected of them.}

"If anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well"

This is an extreme statement because in that time a tunic would be comparable to an undershirt, whereas a cloak was our coat. It was not unusual for someone's cloak to be someone's blanket as well. By giving their cloak to the one who took his tunic, he is showing his faith in God to provide for him. 

"If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles"

This is referring to soldiers. Citizens were legally required to carry a soldiers stuff if he asked him to. They were only required to go one mile though. So by going a second mile on your own free will, you shows selflessness that comes from God in you.

This passage talks about all the unjust things in the world. We should respond with sacrificial love and leave God in control of making things right because he is the only one who makes the unjust just. 

All these things refer to insulting acts done toward you, but not aggressive acts. The is a time to stand up for yourself and others. But in these cases, we deal with the hurt of our pride rather than our well-being. It takes humility to not show other people up, but to let them have even more of our stuff. God calls us to a deliberate response here. We need to be intentionally humble.

I wish my notes on this passage were better. So many good things are said and I don't have time to jot them all down. But I loved studying this. Despite my incomplete notes, I hope that my life reflects what Jesus is teaching here and that the Holy Spirit will call certain things to mind when I'm faced with an opportunity to show that Jesus is The Lord of my heart and not myself.