This week’s sermon comes from Matthew 5:38-42 as we continue our series from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). In this passage Jesus deals with the law of retribution. He is not telling his followers to be pacifists but rather he is showing the true intent God has for His people. So far as it goes between individual people, God’s will is that we do not take revenge, at all. This doesn’t mean being weak or passive in the face of blatant violence (Luke 22:36), but it does prohibit seeking to “get even” when we’re insulted or abused. If you find the time dig deeper into these verses this week and consider the following questions:
· How were they understanding or misunderstanding this phrase “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth?”· What was the original purpose of this phrase?· What can we learn from this about how people sometimes misuse the Bible?· So what is Jesus teaching in Matthew 5:38-42?· Should we allow people to do evil things to us?· Should we allow people to rob from, steal from, or abuse others around us?· How can we discern when to “take a stand” and when to “turn the other cheek?”