Day Seventeen
Matthew 5: 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 him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40“And if anyone wants to sue you, and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. 41“And whoever shall force 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.”
Jesus then states to them a familiar statement, “You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’” There were nods at this statement for they knew this. I grew up hearing this also. But what does it mean?
An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth first appeared in the code of Hammurabi. It was found in the written text between 1755-1750 BC. Hammurabi was the sixth King of Babylon, but this probably was predated by the Mesopotamia code of laws of the people of Ur. Ur existed between 5000 to 4100 BC. Abraham came from Ur. This law at the time Jesus is speaking of it was about 5000 years old.
What does it mean? It basically means that you can’t take something of more value from someone else. It basically says that if you lost an eye, you could demand that an eye be taken from the person who took your eye. It is basically saying you cannot take revenge on a person who harmed you for more than you were harmed.
Jesus is about to shake this believe the people have when he says, ““But I say to you, do not resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
Wait a minute, I am supposed to let a person hit me and then say hit me on this side. Yes, that is what Jesus is saying. We are not to seek revenge. In Deuteronomy 32: 35 “Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; their foot shall slip in due time; For the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things to come hasten upon them.” Later Paul will write in Romans 12:17 17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.” Jesus is telling us here to live peaceably.
I will tell you this is not easy to do, and seeking repayment for pain seems to be a right, but it isn’t. It belongs to GOD.
Jesus continues to shock the people listening, but they are staying… He says, “And if anyone wants to sue you, and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.”
I know that many lawsuits are acts of revenge. They break apart families, friendships and communities, and both parties lose more than they get. But in our age and time people who are truly injured and have huge bills to pay will find this hard to grasp… because medical bills are piling up, and there is no effort to aid them. I get this. My parents did not sue the family of the boy who shot my brother. The other family threatened to sue my parents and take all that they owned because they thought my brother shot their son. I heard this exchange between them and my parents. Instead, my parents paid the medical bills for Joe asking nothing from them, and their son often stayed at our house. He was in my brother’s wedding party. Later my brother Joe was driving my father’s car and was hit by a young man who ran a stop sign. His parents sued my father. The lawsuit went in my father’s favor. What did my father do? He invited the family to our Thanksgiving celebration. I understand that doing what Jesus said to do can be healing instead of destroying.
Jesus continues by saying, “And whoever shall force you to go one mile, go with him two.”
Jesus is saying to us that the person doing this is more important than that one mile. Maybe you can change who they are by walking two miles with them. Maybe a more modern way to say it, “You are given a heavy workload. You will lose your job if you don’t do it. Instead of fussing about the workload, take on more work to ease the burden of others.” In other words, we are to give more than we receive… that isn’t fair…. Aw but everything belongs to God, and He will see what you do and reward you accordingly.
Jesus finishes this section with this, “Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.”
This one hurts me because I have people, I wish I could help, but I do not have the funds to be able to do that. I do not want any of those I care for to struggle. Jesus is telling them here that helping others who need help is important for us to do.
I was helped during the years after my mother died by several people. I was given a temporary job taking notes for court for the former agency from which I retired. Two different women gave me money each month that kept me at least treading water. Without their help, I would have drowned in debt. Before all of that one person sent me $63 to help me pay for food. What that did for me was it made me thankful for all the kindnesses I have been given. I want to pay it forward. But life is still a struggle. One day I will pay it all forward.
Back in 1943, My father was building the road to Fontana Dam because they needed electricity for the war effort. He was supposed to come home for thanksgiving. Ma was counting on him to come home because she barely had food in the house. She was pregnant with my brother Joe, and my brother Gary was not quite three years old. My brother Jimmy was down in SC with her parents. She was going to go to South Carolina in late January to be there when her baby was born. A man came to deliver a message to Ma about 5 PM that my father would not be home until the weekend. It was Wednesday. Thanksgiving was the next day. All she had was some milk, an egg and some grits. It was too late to walk to the grocery store that evening, and the stores would be closed the next day. She knew they would get by somehow and on Friday morning she would walk to the grocery store for food. Ma did not drive. The next morning, she would tear up when she told me this story, “I felt so alone. I needed Joe, but I knew his work was important. I could make it until the weekend. There was a knock at my door, and there was Mr. Brown. His wife had fixed a tray with ham and turkey and dressing, potato salad, stuffing and green beans. There was apple pie, and sweet potato pie. Everything was so good.” She had tears in her eyes, “Because of this kindness given to me, I decided to be kind to people that I meet.” My mother was that more.
We should not turn away from someone in need. IF you can’t help with money, listen to them. Bring them some kindness. Basically, Jesus is telling the people listening then and now…. Do no harm- try another way…. Be kind.
Today’s Question:
Have you ever received unexpected help in times of trouble?
Ever in God’s Love,
Mary Elizabeth Todd
December 6, 2024
Ruhamah United Methodist Church Bible Verses 