Rachel Workman: I don’t have a comment
on today’s reading.
____________________________________________________________________________________
John
Burnett: 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’
39 But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever
slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If
anyone wants to sue you and take your [a]shirt, let him have your [b]coat also. 41 Whoever
[c]forces you to go one mile,
go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks of you, and do not
turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. Verse
39 gives us instruction to not sin by seeking revenge. We should always
leave that up to God because vengeance is mine says the LORD. Considering all things belong to God and He gives us what we
need, I can understand where he says to give to those who need to borrow.
To those who would sue us, give more because God will give us more if we need
it. Verse 41 has to be where “going the
extra mile” comes from.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Mike
Grimm: 8 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and
tooth for tooth.’ God’s purpose behind this
law was an expression of mercy. The law was given to judges and said, in
effect, “Make the punishment fit the crime.” It was NOT a guide for personal
revenge, (Exodus 21:23-25; Leviticus 24:19, 20; Deuteronomy 19:21). These laws
were given to limit vengeance and help the court administer punishment
that was neither too strict nor too lenient. Some people, however, were using
this phrase to justify their vendettas against others. People still try to
excuse their acts of revenge by saying, “I was just doing to him what he did to
me.” 39 But I tell
you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn
to them the other cheek also. To many Jews of Jesus’ day,
these statements were offensive. Any Messiah who would turn the other cheek was
not the military leader they wanted to lead a revolt against Rome. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you
and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone
forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to
the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow
from you.
When we are wronged, often our first
reaction is to get even. Instead Jesus said we should do good to those
who wrong us! Our desire should not be to keep score, but to love and forgive.
This is not natural—it is supernatural. Only God can give us the strength to
love as he does. Instead of planning vengeance, pray for those who hurt you.
No comments:
Post a Comment