Matthew 5:38-42
[38] “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ [39] 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. [40] And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. [41] And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. [42] Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
Head: If someone treats you badly, how should you treat them back?
Heart: How has Jesus done verses 39-42 to you? How should this affect your heart for Jesus and for others?
Hands: Is there someone you can show mercy to today?
In the Old Testament, God commands that for justice to be done, the punishment would be "an eye for an eye" and "a tooth for a tooth". This was God's way of ensuring that justice is done, but also that the punishment fits the crime. In a sense, this was his way of protecting the guilty. There were times when people would want to take vengeance on someone for a crime, which was way more than is called for. Or sometimes, that the guilty person's family would be punished, too. So the Old Testament guideline called for a guilty person to be appropriately punished and that only the guilty would be punished.
For many, this guideline became the justification for taking vengeance on people. "This person wronged me. The law says that he deserves the same treatment! I have a right to take vengeance on them!" What Jesus is doing here is saying that this law reveals one aspect of God, His fair and sensible justice. But another side of God that we need to know is his mercy and grace.
So Jesus teaches that you have the freedom to show mercy, which means that you can refrain from taking vengeance on someone. And you have the calling to show grace, which means you actually treat someone well even though they don't deserve it. Isn't this what Jesus did for us? He sacrificed Himself so that we would not be separated from God and punished for eternity. Then He also credited us with His perfect obedience, so that we would be approved an accepted into God's family as His beloved children. This is why we show mercy and grace to others. Go and do likewise.
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Devotional Guide:
1) Pray for understanding in your mind, for trust in your heart, and for powerful obedience in your daily living.
2) Read the passage and mark anything that blesses you, challenges you, or raises a question.
3) Reflect on the passage. What's God saying about Himself? What's God saying about you?
4) Pray in response to what God puts on your heart through the Word.