Be Real Together:
Take a few minutes to catch up, tell stories, and laugh together. Trust and friendship take time to build. If you’re launching a new DNA, one person should tell their story — what do we need to know about you? Next week, have another person in your DNA share their story.
Read Together:
Matthew 5:38-42 CSB
38 “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. 39 But I tell you, don’t resist an evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 As for the one who wants to sue you and take away your shirt, let him have your coat as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and don’t turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Grow Together: Observe and Apply
People have used the words we just read to promote pacifism, to object to use of military, to shy away from accountability, even to suggest Christians are supposed to live like doormats and allow anyone / everyone to take advantage of us. Context matters here - Jesus is not writing a playbook for how you can endure a beating unnecessarily, he’s describing the character of someone with a transformed heart. He’s showing us what people who abide in his love and follow in his ways naturally desire to do when faced with opposition.
Let’s dive a bit deeper into this passage together.
Matthew 5:38 // “You have heard that it was said, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth…”
Jesus is quoting a line from the Old Testament. In Exodus 21, Leviticus 24, and Deuteronomy 19, we see references to this law/principle known as “lex talionis,” which means “law of retaliation.” The idea here was pretty simple - in ancient times, God gave his people a law that justice should fit the respective crime. Someone knocks your tooth out, then legally, the courts could grant that the same be done to the offender. Unfortunately, the law would sometimes get used to justify acts of personal revenge or vengeance.
Here’s Jesus’ response to people’s justification of personal revenge:
Matthew 5:39 // “…But I tell you, don’t resist an evildoer.”
Why would Jesus call us to this standard? Every one of us begins as an enemy - a rebel against God. Is it God’s vengeance that led any of us to repentance? No, Romans 2:4 says it’s God’s kindness that leads us to repentance. Just like those who witnessed Jesus’ crucifixion, maybe, just maybe, your act of grace might be the very thing that causes them to consider their actions.
How have you justified your own personal revenge or vengeance? What do you think about Jesus’ response: “don’t resist an evildoer”?
Matthew 5:39b // “…if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.”
It’s important to note that Jesus is not talking about defending yourself against a full-blown attacker, nor avoiding justice for those who commit violent crimes. When Jesus speaks of a slap on your right cheek, it was culturally understood as a deep insult, not a physical attack. If anyone slaps you on your right cheek (a backhanded slap intended to embarrass you), turn the other also - be willing to endure further insult. Why? What good does this do? Think about it - does someone who endures a slap, then stands ready to receive another, seem weak? Do they seem like they’re ready to snap and retaliate? No - they are poised, humble, strong. To resist retaliation takes strength. Interestingly, the word Matthew uses for “slap” is the same word he uses in 26:67-68 when Jesus was blindfolded and slapped by Roman soldiers.
If you’re honest, do you tend more towards retaliation or compassion when insulted/wronged?
Matthew 5:40 // As for the one who wants to sue you and take away your shirt, let him have your coat as well.
In Jesus’ day, the “shirt” he’s referring to was the inner garment AKA the tunic. It was a long garment worn under their coats, was typically made of wool or cotton, and strangely enough, could be used for bartering or making payments. Therefore, if someone had a claim against you and wanted to sue you, the court could require the debt to be paid off with your clothing if you had no other resources. With that said, a person’s coat was even more valuable. It was not only used as a coat, but also for bedding, especially for those sleeping outdoors. Under the Law of Moses, the outer cloak could not be taken from someone (Exodus 22:26; Deuteronomy 24:13). Jesus raises the standard again. He says that if someone comes for your shirt (the lesser garment), give them the coat too (the more valuable garment). In other words, have a radically unselfish attitude towards your adversary as well as your personal property.
How have you struggled to have an unselfish attitude with your adversaries and with your personal property?
Matthew 5:41 // And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two.
Under Roman military law, a soldier could command a Jew to carry his pack for an entire mile equivalent of 1,000 paces - but only one. Here in Matthew 5, Jesus acknowledges this obligation, yet he introduces compassion on top of it: Go the first mile, but then go beyond the one mile required by law and give another mile voluntarily. Do it out of compassion. The Roman soldier would be shocked and wonder why you would serve him, your enemy, when it is not required. Why? Because that kind of service is what Jesus has modeled for us. This is the Gospel on display.
How are you encouraged by the service Jesus has modeled for us?
Matthew 5:42 // Give to the one who asks you, and don’t turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Jesus describes someone coming along in legitimate need. Not someone who’s there to simply mooch - but someone who comes honestly. What’s the heart posture? Be ready to help however you can without expecting anything in return. Give whatever you can to the person who asks for your help. No strings attached.
Do you find it easy or challenging to give without expecting anything in return?
To summarize, as Christians, our aim shouldn’t be to get even, it should be to embody the grace of God upon those who are undeserving. When it comes to personal vengeance, getting even, and emotionally-charged retaliation, this quote sums it up well:
“Let the insults come,” says Jesus, “and show by your response that you feel no need for retaliation, because you have your reputation secure with God, as his child. Let your response to insult be gracious—just as your Father’s response to your insult of sin against him has been so gracious. Will anyone be won for the kingdom by your retaliation, by your standing on your rights? How could they be, when the King in the kingdom is one who did not retaliate?” —Sinclair Ferguson, Scottish Theologian/Pastor (Sermon, 120)
How are you feeling compelled to respond to Jesus’ teaching this week? Any idea you’re particularly challenged by? Any particular action you’re walking away with?
Pray Together:
Thank you Jesus that you’ve walked the road before us.
You’ve modeled for us how to embody grace and show compassion on others.
Help us to resist retaliation and instead extend your kindness to others when they insult us that they might be won for your kingdom.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.