Courtney Gilmore The Books of the Law say, “Do not murder and an eye for an eye.” Jesus says, ” Turn the other cheek.” Did Jesus change the laws? Are these statements in contradiction to one another? Are we supposed to choose justice or mercy?
We are not the first ones to ask these questions. They were wondering the same thing when Jesus was walking the earth. He answered by saying,
Do not think I have come to abolish the Law or Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them… Whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same, will be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But, whoever does them and teaches them, will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:17-20
So, Jesus was not doing away with the laws. As a matter of fact, He said that we can’t relax them even a little. Instead, it seems, He was taking them a step further. The scribes and Pharisees followed the law to the letter and Jesus said that’s not good enough. He requires more! What in the world does He mean by that? Following the law isn’t good enough? What does that look like?
Murder, Anger, and Hate
You have heard that it was said to those of old, “You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be liable to judgement.” But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgement. Whoever insults his brother will be liable to council and whoever says, “You fool!” will be liable to the hell of fire.
Matthew 5:21-22
So, not only does He not want us to kill. He does not even want us to be angry with each other. You see, He isn’t doing away with the laws, He is expounding upon them. The initial laws given to the Israelites were really just the starting point. Jesus wants us to do better than just not killing each other. He wants us to love each other. Because anger can lead to hatred and those who hate others, don’t love the precious life that’s loved and created by God, Jesus says we are in danger just by letting our anger remain and grow.
Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother, is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
1 John 2:9-11
Not a New Teaching
When we hate others, we align ourselves with Satan. When we love others, we align ourselves with God.
For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous… Whoever does not love, abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother, is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, that he laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
1 John 3:11-16
Even though Jesus really stressed the point, this wasn’t a new concept only brought about in the New Testament. It was also a command that God gave to the Israelites in the Old Testament.
You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.
Leviticus 19:17-18
We are supposed to talk things out with each other so we can come to an understanding and not be angry with each other. This is not only for their sake but for our own. Anger against them could cause us to sin, so we need to get control of ourselves quickly before we do something we might regret.
Vengeance
Vengeance is not justice and holding grudges only causes bitterness in our own hearts. The goal, again, is to love each other. So, Jesus explained our personal obligation towards those that treat us badly.
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God. For it is written, “Vengeance is mine. I will repay, says the Lord.”
Romans 12:17-19
Because Jesus loves us, He does not want us to be taken over by bitterness and vengeance. Instead, he wants us to feel peace and pursue it with others. He knows if someone has wronged us and He has the ability to take care of it. It’s too big of a burden for us to carry, so He takes it from us and deals justly with us all.
In our anger, we might deal with the other person too harshly, or internalize it and let it pollute our hearts and minds. It is too big of a burden for us to carry. So God wants us to release our anger and let Him carry the burden of it instead. His actions are always just and that frees us to feel peace and also live peaceably with others.
Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness, without which, no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God, that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble. By it many become defiled.
Hebrews 12:14-15
An Eye for an Eye
So, then, what about an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Jesus said,
You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” But I say to you, “Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. If anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.”
Matthew 5:38-42
The Old Testament instruction on this was given to the Israelites concerning the structure of their government. In that regard, government officials took the burden from the people so they didn’t become bitter or carry their anger too far. They were administering justice though and not vengeance. Earthly authorities often reflect the authority of God and Jesus was not absolving guilty party from accountability according to the law.
Jesus’ teaching on this wasn’t for the offender, but for the offended. He was again trying to absolve the innocent person from the all-consuming feelings of anger and bitterness, keep them from sinning themselves, and preserve peace. He is primarily concerned with our hearts and His kingdom, so that’s where His focus lies.
Love as He Loves
You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.” For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5:43-48
He holds His followers to a standard of love, mercy, and understanding because that is how He treats us. When we love others, in spite of how they treat us, we are imitating Him. This reminds us of the sacrifice He made for us and it points others to Him. When they see that we are acting contrary to human nature, they want to know why and that gives us the opportunity to tell them about our Loving Savior.
For while we were still weak, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly… God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life.
Romans 5:6-10
Excerpt from Episode 106 “Let it Go!” on Podcast and YouTube
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