As if the Sermon on the Mount was not difficult enough for many of us to fully grasp, our Lord gave concrete examples of what a life lived for Him would look like in the verses that follow in Matthew chapter five. In verses 38-42 He gives four examples of what a Christ centered life meant.
An Eye For An Eye
He begins by reminding His Jewish audience of the Old Testament command that punishment should be an "eye for an eye" (Matthew 5:38). Today this seems harsh, but this command was given to keep people from harsh and unfair punishment. The death penalty shouldn't be used for stealing as an example. Punishment should be appropriate to the crime, not excessive. But then Jesus says things have now changed. He begins by saying, "But I tell you...". More will be expected of His followers.
Heaping Coals Of Fire
Showing love and compassion to our enemies, will as Proverbs 25:21-23 tells us, "heap coals of fire on his head". In other words, when we return evil with good, we make the evil doer feel guilt and shame. Those Christians who were martyred for their faith in the early days of the church walked into the Roman coliseum not cursing and screaming at their guards but praying for them. This is the kind of love that brings your enemies to their knees. This is love that only comes from God.
Turn The Other Cheek
The first example Jesus gives us is what we often hear referred to as "turning the other cheek" (Matthew 5:39) First a little background on the customs of the time. To strike someone on the right cheek was done with the back of the right hand. It was done to people of inferior social status. The left hand was not used, as it was considered "unclean". The left hand was used for certain "unclean" practices. So when someone turned the other cheek the only way to strike them was with your fist, this was reserved for those of equal social status. The person doing the striking now had a dilemma; strike with the "unclean" hand or strike the person again with the right hand implying equal status.
Why Do We Offer The Other Cheek?
The turning of the other cheek was not done so that a Christian could just be taken advantage of or treated like a doormat, but instead to show that the only way to be struck was to be treated as an equal. Even more important, was the command to love our enemy (Matthew 5:44). If our enemy struck us, then instead of seething with rage while offering the other cheek, we should be praying for them as we have been instructed to by Jesus. Why we don't respond with violence is the most important aspect of this command.
Getting Slapped In The Face
Today we may not have people coming up to us and slapping us very often, but metaphorically, an insult can feel like a "slap in the face" as the expression goes. How do we respond? Do we plot our revenge? Do we wait till we can go tell others of what the person did to us? Or instead, do we pray for that person. Do we offer forgiveness to them?
My Tunic And My Cloak?
The second example Jesus gives us is an enemy who sues you for your tunic. Jesus tells us to not just give the enemy your tunic but also your cloak (Matthew 5:40). Some understanding of clothing in Jesus's time helps us understand this. The cloak was an outer garment. The tunic was your inner garment. The tunic was sometimes sued for as collateral for a debt. If I gave you both of my garments in effect I would be naked. Someone who took you to court for your tunic probably would not want to be seen as forcing you to be naked. The shameful act of forcing someone to be naked would make your enemy look bad to say the least.
Going The Extra Mile
The third example was to go a second mile when we have been forced to go a mile (Matthew 5:41) . In Jesus's time Roman soldiers could require someone to carry something for them for a distance of a mile. Think of Simon of Cyrene who was required to carry Jesus's cross. They weren't allowed to force them to carry something further. By going the extra mile that person was potentially getting the Roman soldier in trouble.
Shaming Our Enemies
When someone who opposes us, an enemy as Jesus says, and requires us to do something against our will, how do we react? Do we fuss and fume, complain, tell others about our injustice or do we again, pray for our enemies, the ones who despitefully use us? Love would have us do more than requested. Doing good shames our enemies (Romans 12:20).
Give To Those Who Ask
Our last example is giving to someone who asks and not turning away someone who wants to borrow from you (Matthew 5:42). This requires us to depend entirely on God. Jesus doesn't say to determine the person's worthiness first. Jesus doesn't say to determine if they are an enemy or a friend before you give. Jesus says simply to give. The person who wants to borrow is not supposed to have a credit check done before we make the loan. We aren't supposed to get character references first.
Overcome Evil With Good
In these examples, Jesus shows us how to "overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21). These aren't examples of weakness. They are examples of strength, examples of courage without violence. We are to show love with our actions. Jesus lets us know that He will be the one to judge evil. It is our duty on this earth to show love, compassion, and forgiveness to all. Jesus says He sends us into the world as sheep among wolves. Therefore we should be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves." (Matthew 10:16). This passage gives concrete examples of how we can do this.
Who Do We Love?
In Matthew 5:46 Jesus makes one of the most profound statements. He says this,
"For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? "
Who do we love? How do we show that love?
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