JUSTICE OR REVENGE?
Matthew 5:38-39
" 'You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.' "
This is a hard teaching. Jesus was quoting from Moses' law which says, "Whoever kills any man shall surely be put to death. Whoever kills an animal shall make it good, animal for animal. If a man causes disfigurement of a neighbor, as he has done, so shall it be done to him – fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; as he has caused disfigurement of a man, so shall it be done to him" (Leviticus 24:17-20). Was Jesus rescinding that law? I think not. I don't think He was denying the need for people to held accountable for their misdeeds, nor saying I can't defend myself when I am physically abused. After all, God is a God of justice. Here, I think Jesus was referring to personal attacks against my person and character, rather than physical abuse. A slap is a personal affront. My natural instinct is slap back. I think Jesus was pointing to a higher way of living: seeking justice without demanding revenge. God said, "You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people" (Leviticus 19:18), and, "Vengeance is Mine" (Deuteronomy 32:35). There is a place for the government and its courts to uphold justice (Deuteronomy 25:1-3). If someone steals my property or does damage to me, justice demands that they pay for their crimes. But personal affront is a matter of the heart. I need to leave the vengeance to God.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God's people need to seek justice without vengeance.
[end]
Have a "just" day. Love you.
Matthew 5:38-39
" 'You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.' "
This is a hard teaching. Jesus was quoting from Moses' law which says, "Whoever kills any man shall surely be put to death. Whoever kills an animal shall make it good, animal for animal. If a man causes disfigurement of a neighbor, as he has done, so shall it be done to him – fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; as he has caused disfigurement of a man, so shall it be done to him" (Leviticus 24:17-20). Was Jesus rescinding that law? I think not. I don't think He was denying the need for people to held accountable for their misdeeds, nor saying I can't defend myself when I am physically abused. After all, God is a God of justice. Here, I think Jesus was referring to personal attacks against my person and character, rather than physical abuse. A slap is a personal affront. My natural instinct is slap back. I think Jesus was pointing to a higher way of living: seeking justice without demanding revenge. God said, "You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people" (Leviticus 19:18), and, "Vengeance is Mine" (Deuteronomy 32:35). There is a place for the government and its courts to uphold justice (Deuteronomy 25:1-3). If someone steals my property or does damage to me, justice demands that they pay for their crimes. But personal affront is a matter of the heart. I need to leave the vengeance to God.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God's people need to seek justice without vengeance.
[end]
Have a "just" day. Love you.
No comments:
Post a Comment