P a g e 1 Matthew 5:38-42 Go the Extra Mile Listen to Dr. Helmut Thielicke Whenever I utter the formula I swear by God (we could add I swear on the Bible, I swear on my mother s grave really I m telling the truth ) I am really saying, Now I m going to mark off an area of absolute truth and put walls around it to cut it off from the muddy floods of untruthfulness and irresponsibility that ordinarily overruns my speech. In fact, I am saying even more than this. I am saying that people are expecting me to lie from the start. And just because they are counting on my lying I have to bring up these big guns of oaths and words of honor It doesn t matter where you are church in the courtroom or bedroom you should be a person of truth letting your yes be yes and your no no We are lied to by just about every source the media, politicians, celebrities It s no big deal anymore Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal truthfully are His delight. Just let your yes be yes and your no be no Just tell the truth people. You don t have to add any, I swear on the Bible, I swear on my mother s grave really I m telling the truth I should expect no less from a brother or sister in Christ Kingdom citizens don t need oaths your word should be truth! P RAY! Now we look at the 5 th example of true righteous living. Jesus so wants us to see the heart of God behind the command and demand. Matthew 5:38 You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. 38 You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
P a g e 2 Where had they heard it said? Exodus 21:24 "eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot Leviticus 24:20 fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; as he has caused disfigurement of a man, so shall it be done to him. Deuteronomy 19:21 "Your eye shall not pity: life [shall be] for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. This represents one of the oldest laws in the world the law of retaliation, technically known as Lex (Law) Talionis (retaliation). The earliest reference to Lex Talionis comes from the Code of Hammurabi in the second millennium B.C. Far from being savage legislation, it was intrinsically merciful because it limited vengeance. Human nature you take my eye, I take both of yours. You take both of mine I take your legs and eyes I kill your whole family!!! Retaliation is normal behavior Jesus calls us to an abnormal life Lex Talionis was the basis for all legal action for the Jews. It brought equity and stability to human relationships Lex Talionis was the responsibility of the courts. They assessed damages just as we do in our courts today. The Mishna devotes an entire section entitled Baba Kammato to assessing proper damages. Now comes Jesus revolutionary new teaching: verse 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. What does Jesus mean? One writer says this, Some believe he is teaching absolute nonresistance under any circumstances. Leo Tolstoy, the great Russian novelist, in his book What I Believe tells how in an intense time of soul-searching he read and reread the Sermon on the Mount and then in one life-changing moment came to understand that Christ meant exactly what he said in his command, Do not resist an evil person. On the basis
P a g e 3 this understanding he came to believe that no Christian should be involved in the army, the police force, or the courts of law. Christ s way, he argued, is not to resist any evil in any way. And, he said, that teaching is absolute and unconditional. So some believe Jesus outlaws all force in any form. It is wrong to think Jesus means that there is no place for punishment or retribution in society. Jesus here speaks to personal relationships, and not to the proper functions of government in restraining evil. The Bible does not contradict itself. Romans 13:1-7 teaches that the state is a divine institution that has the power to punish wrongdoers. Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to [execute] wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore [you] must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes [are due], customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. Jesus will clarify what He means by providing 4 one-sentence illustrations of what it means to not resist an evil person. verse 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. Contrary to what we might think, he is not describing a physical attack, but rather a very traditional, CALCULATED INSULT. He is describing a backhanded slap. 90% of people are right-handed. So how can a right-hander hit you on the right cheek there s only one way, and that s with the back of the hand. This is not an attack, but an insult. If you re insulted turn your cheek.
P a g e 4 According to rabbinic law, to hit someone with the back of the hand was twice as insulting as hitting him with the flat of the hand. The back of the hand meant a calculated contempt, raging disdain. It meant that you were scorned as inconsequential Y o u a r e n o t h i n g t o m e! It was an insult for which a Jew could seek legal satisfaction according to the Lex Talionis. That is, he could seek damages. In short, though you could take your opponent to the cleaners, do not do it! Lovingly absorb the insult. The Jews always thought that every outrage should be resented; and thus the spirit of hatred and strife was fostered. Jesus calls us to swallow our pride and give up our rights to reparation and fairness. Turn the other cheek The preciousness of others: to make the other person and his or her wellbeing the center of our focus. Deeper application If someone shows up late, you return the evil by being late the next time. When your wife says something that hurts you, you say something that hurts her more. It s one-up-man-ship. Jesus says love goes the opposite direction. It shows mercy, rather than demands justice. When we re attacked, retaliate in love. This is how Kingdom citizens live they give up their right to get even and return love. My right to dignity hit me on the cheek - your insult won t stop my love. verse 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. They could literally sue you for the very shirt on your back. Never was it allowed to take someone s cloak for a 24 hour period. So even if you lost your shirt (or tunic) in court, and your opponent asked for your cloak and won it, he had to return it every evening for you to sleep in. That was the law.
P a g e 5 Romans 12:17-21 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but [rather] give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance [is] Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. My right to possessions take my cloak your soul means more than my shirt. verse 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. The indignity that Jesus described here had it origin with the Persians. In fact, the Greek word translated forces is of Persian origin. The Persians initiated a kind of Pony Express in which the mail-carrying rider simply borrowed horses. When one got tired he borrowed another and so on and so on. If you lived in Jesus day, a Roman soldier could come to you at any time and tap you on the shoulder with his spear. You then would be required by law to carry his armor or baggage for up to one mile. Here, Jesus says, Blow his mind. Go with him two miles. Almost all Jews had been subject to this, and they hated the very mention of it. It was Rome s way of showing who was in charge. As in previous examples, this form of persecution fell upon a believer because of his identification with Christ. Some think that may be why Simon of Cyrene was made to carry Christ s cross. The Roman soldier knew he loved Jesus, it is surmised, so they said, You carry the cross! (Matthew 27:32) You are gonna have to walk the mile you have a choice to turn their oppression into your freedom to Love. Ecc. 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might
P a g e 6 Colossians 3:23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. When you wash dishes, you can water them with your tears or you can sing hymns. Jesus calls for a revolutionary response in a difficult situation cheerfulness. My right to liberty I ll walk a second mile your salvation is more important than my convenience. A second mile is my opportunity for further witness. verse 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. Jesus is not recommending that his followers give to every open hand, though, of course, he calls us all to deep generosity. Luke 6:35 "But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. In the matter of loaning, the Lord wants his followers to reject a tightfisted, penny-pinching attitude that says, This is mine and I ll never share it! My right to security I ll be generous I d rather you survive than me thrive. Jesus turns scrooges into Aurellios Thanks to Jesus we have let go of our legalistic obsession with fairness. I am so glad Jesus was not fair with me If I would have gotton what was coming to me HELL! Though we are hurt many times God gives us the grace we need. As citizens of the kingdom we do not run from hurt. We appear weak, but we are strong, for only the most powerful can live a life like this. Who are the most powerful? The weak spiritual beggars who need His strength everyday.
The life Jesus demands cannot be lived apart from His empowerment. Impossible, yes! On our own with Christ all things are possible. P a g e 7