Matthew 5 38 42 NKJV You have heard

Matthew 5: 38 -42 (NKJV) “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

SERMON ON THE MOUNT: SECOND MILE SERVICE Matthew 5: 38 -42

Second Mile Service We continue our Sunday night series on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount We have looked at a variety of topics Most all deal with the kind of people that Jesus wants us to be Jesus has been dealing with the Old Law

Second Mile Service There were certainly some things about the old law that needed to be addressed This was largely in part because of the liberties that the Israelites had taken with this law and their misunderstandings of it Jesus is also giving a stricter code of living

Second Mile Service 1. Looking Back (v. 38) § Jesus once again looks back to the old law § They were very familiar with the term “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” § Whatever was done to them, they could do in return to those that wronged them (Ex. 21: 24; Lev. 24: 20; Deut. 19: 21)

Second Mile Service 1. Looking Back (v. 38) § This law wasn’t set forth to necessarily teach a vengeful attitude, but to be a deterrent to this type of crime against one’s neighbor § It also limited the “punitive action to the extent of the original injury or loss that precipitated it” (Coffman)

Second Mile Service 1. Looking Back (v. 38) § Nevertheless, it had certainly ingrained within the Israelites an attitude of revenge § If they were wronged, it was their right and duty (in their minds) to get back at anyone who wronged them § There is a similar mindset today

Second Mile Service 2. Turn the other cheek? (v. 39) § What Jesus gives as an alternative here is probably the least popular command found anywhere § It is probably the least followed and perhaps one of the most controversial § He begins by telling us not to resist an evil person

Second Mile Service 2. Turn the other cheek? (v. 39) § To understand what He means by that we must look at how He explains it § He says that “whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also” § Does this mean that we cannot protect ourselves from a person physical attack?

Second Mile Service 2. Turn the other cheek? (v. 39) § Jesus seemed to give the apostles the right to defend themselves in Luke 22: 36 § So does Jesus contradict Himself? § A slap in the face would be more of the idea of an insult than it would be an actual physical attack

Second Mile Service 2. Turn the other cheek? (v. 39) § Just as when Jesus was struck and did nothing, we can endure an insult for the cause of Christ § It would be a better reaction to defeat the enemies of Christ than to retaliate with violence

Second Mile Service 2. Turn the other cheek? (v. 39) § The idea here is simply not to return evil for evil § Romans 12: 17 -21 § God is He who exacts revenge, but we should not seek to return evil to those who do us wrong

Second Mile Service 3. Go the extra mile (v. 40 -42) § Again, Jesus wants His disciples to stand out above the others § If anyone would go to court to take one’s coat (shirt-like undergarment), give him your cloak (outer garment) also § It’s being willing to be the better person

Second Mile Service 3. Go the extra mile (v. 40 -42) § “And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two” § A Roman soldier could, by law, compel an Israelite to carry his load for a mile § The Jews hated this law and resented it, so this saying would not be popular

Second Mile Service 3. Go the extra mile (v. 40 -42) § Think of the message this would send to the Roman soldier § Think of the message that it sends to anyone on whom this was practiced § This would be a great way to influence another for the cause of Christ

Second Mile Service 3. Go the extra mile (v. 40 -42) § “Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away” § This certainly gives us an opportunity to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matt. 22: 39) § It also gives us an opportunity to minister to them (Matt. 25: 34 -46)