Revenge? Not Hardly. Look Closer.

“Boy, I sure do look forward to the day when they get what’s a-comin’ to ‘em!”

“After what they did to me, you better believe there’ll be payback!”

Like many of you, I have often heard it said that revenge is a dish best served cold. If I had to guess, many of us have at some point heard but not heeded that advice, because we get so caught up in the moment our emotions take over.

Like many of you, if I had to guess, there are times I’ve worked on getting my revenge on someone only to discover later that either I missed entirely what was going on and my reaction was unwarranted OR the act of revenge I took did not accomplish what I intended and, in fact, made things worse.

In the midst of what is known as his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses a well-known and oft-quoted text from the Old Testament - “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” As Jesus does on multiple occasions, he takes a well-known phrase from the sacred texts and provides a new spin for his hearers.

Jesus’ words as found in Matthew 5:38-42 are as follows:

“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 an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.

There is so much to unpack in these five verses that scholars have produced myriad works about this over the last 2,000 years. A great deal of conversation I’ve had over the years involves people asking me what is it that Jesus means here, and does Jesus say what I think he says here?

Rather than get into the weeds and get caught up in some very particular and technical discussions, I’m going to instead invite us to look at this passage from a much larger perspective, for there is something Jesus is pointing to that makes these words truly humbling. For, you see, Jesus has a nasty habit of telling a story that in hindsight gives us a huge helping of humble pie.

How so?

Well, let me ask this - Rather than trying to examine this passage through the lens of what we are allowed and expected to do/not do, what happens if we start looking at this through the lens of our own sin and rebellion towards God?

In other words, are there any of us who would want Jesus to act in any way OTHER than this when it comes to dealing with those of us who sin against him in thought, word, and deed? By what we have done or not done?

When we start looking at this passage in those terms - Jesus telling us how we are dealt with by God in the midst of our manifold sin and wickedness - I cannot help but think it might truly transform not only our relationship with God but with one another, for in this passage we are getting a graphic signal of the depths of God’s love for us.

None of this is to say that we are not to follow Jesus’ commands to forgive. However, let’s be sure to not miss another truly transformational message Jesus is giving not only those hearing these words in real time, but also those of us eavesdropping on them lo these many centuries later.

What is that transformational message? Friends, you are forgiven. And in spades. 

Grace and Peace,
Lamar