WELCOME & INTRODUCTION
WHEN CELEBRITIES ATTACK
Famous celebrities are just like everyone else—they act erratically, they make fools of themselves in public, they even start fights. The main difference is this: when a celebrity does these things, there is always a reporter around to record their actions and make it national news.
Surely everyone is familiar with the famous fitness guru, Richard Simmons. He is known for his eccentric, flamboyant, and energetic personality. He has promoted weight-loss programs, most prominently through his 1980’s best-selling aerobic videos “Sweatin’ to the Oldies.”
In March 2004, Simmons was waiting in Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport for a flight to Los Angeles when another waiting passenger recognized him. Christopher Farney, a 6’ 2”, 250-pound ultimate cage fighter and martial arts expert, pointed out Simmons to the rest of the passengers and yelled, “Hey everybody, it’s Richard Simmons. Let’s drop our bags and rock to the ‘50s.”
Richard Simmons did not appreciate the attention, nor the sarcasm, and I imagine the incorrect name of his famous exercise videos. It isn’t rock to the 50s, it’s Sweatin’ to the Oldies.
In response, Simmons approached Farney and said, “It’s not nice to make fun of people with issues,” and proceeded to smack him across the face. Although this didn’t hurt the giant cage fighter, Farney called the cops. The charges were later dropped, but Simmons insisted that Farney deserved the slap.
Simmons took this embarrassing situation into his own hands—literally. But what should our response be when someone does this kind of thing to us? To assault someone physically? What about those of us who might be on the receiving end of this like Farney? Should we retaliate? That’s the question today as we continue in our series from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and the last of our miniseries called “Living Righteously.” In our passage today, Jesus addresses the idea of an eye for an eye and what that entails with the people hearing this message that day. So, let’s read our passage this morning and talk about it.
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.
In this passage we read the fifth of the six anthesis passages. Jesus speaks to both our words and our actions. Last week we spoke about being a person who simply says yes or no and keeps our word. This is part of our reputation and integrity. Our words and action go together.
We read in Proverbs 6:16-19 a clear weaving of the evils we speak and the evils we might do.
PROVERBS 6:16-19
16 There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil,
19 a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.
Words and actions can rarely be separated. Both are in front of God’s vision. He sees it all. We spoke about our words last week and how important they are. In this passage this morning, Jesus moves to address the importance of our actions. This issue of retaliation is Jesus’ concern and he puts five principles before us to guide us in what we do as the people of God.
1. DO NOT RETALIATE AGAINST EVIL WITH VIOLENCE
Verse 38 is a direct and partial quote from a few Old Testament texts.
EXODUS 21:23-25
23 But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.
LEVITICUS 24:17-21
17 “Whoever takes a human life shall surely be put to death. 18 Whoever takes an animal's life shall make it good, life for life. 19 If anyone injures his neighbor, as he has done it shall be done to him, 20 fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; whatever injury he has given a person shall be given to him. 21 Whoever kills an animal shall make it good, and whoever kills a person shall be put to death.
DEUTERONOMY 19:21
21 Your eye shall not pity. It shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
These texts are concerning the principle of lex talionis, which means “law of retaliation.” “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” is familiar to most of us. It was originally given as a guide to the courts in their judgments and was never intended to guide people in their every day living in how to exact their revenge, but people used this principle in this way.
This was intended to help guide into right judgment and justice in the courts without any outside influence. But it got out of hand and people started exacting this kind of justice on their own, without legal grounds. It became rough justice that fostered bitterness and vengeance and hatred.
Jesus’ response is to lay down a new principle for the people. Jesus says, “but I say to you, do not resist the one who is evil.” In other words, don’t relate to others as enemies. Don’t immediately make someone attacking you an enemy. Instead, see them as a neighbor. Be loving, not hateful. Be kind, not harsh. Do not look for revenge or retaliation. Look to be their friend.
ROMANS 12:17-21
17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
The mindset that says that if we are harmed in any way, we should get even, is foreign to Jesus. It must also be foreign to us as disciples of Jesus. We are called to walk away if someone hurts us. And that leads to the next principle:
2. IF SOMEONE SLAPS YOU, TURN THE OTHER CHEEK
These are examples of what you should do if you are insulted or attacked. First if someone slaps you. If anyone slaps you on your right cheek (this would be a backhanded slap intended to embarrass you), turn the other also (be willing to endure further insult). Interestingly, the word Matthew uses for “slap” is the same word he uses in chapter 26:67-68 when Jesus was blindfolded before his crucifixion by the Roman soldiers. The slap would be both insulting and painful.
Jesus himself lived by this saying he used in the Sermon on the Mount. He was mocked, spat upon, beaten with rods, slapped, whipped and scourged, and nailed to a cross. He endured it all without revenge but with forgiveness on his heart and lips.
This verse isn’t calling us to refrain from self-protection or defense of our families from harm. And this passage isn’t saying we should seek justice for those who commit crimes. But Jesus’ principle is to show our enemies love and to be a neighbor of compassion forgetting hatred and revenge. Forgive your enemy and pray for him.
3. WHEN PEOPLE DEMAND OF YOU, BE GRACIOUS
Jesus then addresses how a disciple should respond to a legal attack. This example he uses would have been very familiar to the first-century Jewish audience.
Jesus says, And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. This tunic that the plaintiff is suing for was a long inner garment worn under the coat next to the skin. It was usually made of wool or linen and was often used in bartering or making payments in Jesus’ day. The cloak that Jesus then says to give the one suing was the outer garment and was considered MORE valuable. It was not just used as a coat, but also for bedding when someone had to sleep outdoors or in an unfamiliar place.
EXODUS 22:25-27
25 “If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him. 26 If ever you take your neighbor's cloak in pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down, 27 for that is his only covering, and it is his cloak for his body; in what else shall he sleep? And if he cries to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.
The law said not to impose this on the poor, but Jesus again goes beyond the law and says give everyone more than they asked for. Wouldn’t it shock an accuser and someone bringing a lawsuit if you gave them more than they asked for? Jesus is telling the audience, give more grace and love than they might deserve. Why? Because that is what grace is. It is unmerited favor. You don’t earn grace. You don’t do something to receive grace. You give grace because that is what the word means, grace is MORE than what you deserve.
4. BE WILLING TO GO THE EXTRA MILE
This has been a colloquial saying in our culture for a long time. The source of it is here in our Matthew passage this morning. There is a historical background behind it that I want us to understand.
Israel was an occupied territory under the rule of Rome. The people could legally be compelled to assist the Roman military if called to do so. It’s like when our nation was fighting in the Revolutionary war and our people were commanded to quarter the soldiers of the British army if they stumbled upon your property.
An example of this in scripture is when Simon of Cyrene was forced to help carry Jesus’ cross on his way to crucifixion in Mark 15:21. The Jews, no doubt, hated this practice because it humiliated them and shows that they were subjects of Rome. And this was often abused.
The phrase “one mile” means “one thousand paces” in Latin. According to Jesus’ illustration, you would be legally required to help Roman soldiers by carrying a load he gives you for one thousand steps. But, when you reach that limit, Jesus says, don’t say, “Ok, that was 1000, so I am done.” Jesus says keep going. Go an additional 1000 steps or one mile. Do it voluntarily. Do it not for your own favors later, but do it for Jesus. The Roman soldier might even be shocked you kept going for so long. He is your enemy, yet you helped him.
5. FINALLY, BE READY TO HELP THOSE IN NEED
In Jesus’ last illustration he describes someone you encounter in your day who has a legitimate need. This person isn’t slacking or lazy or irresponsible. They are hurting and need your help and you have the ability to help. Jesus says, help those who beg of you. We are called to help the poor.
Many Jews would rather to just die than to actually panhandle. So when Jesus is saying this, he is referring to those with legitimate needs. This person has come to you with you being their last hope. Don’t lecture him about getting a job, but feed him. Share with him what God has blessed you with and don’t expect to be repaid.
Our motive in helping others is simple: we have been helped by our Father in heaven where our need was bigger than the beggar’s. We needed His forgiveness and his mercy and his grace and He freely gave it to us. As Paul writes,
II CORINTHIANS 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
We have an opportunity to share the gospel. Both with what we do have physically and with what we have been given ourselves—God’s forgiveness.
This is truly Amazing Grace.
I PETER 2:22-23
22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
What an example! Jesus not only bore the wrath of God in our place but also the wrath of men for you and for me.
How well have you done in life at living this one out? Have you been angry by insults and given them back? Did you ever get into a physical fight? Have you yelled at someone for wronging you out in this world? Did you wish ill upon someone who has done something wrong to you or someone you love? Have you been cheated and looked for revenge?
I know this is what our kids are watching. It seems that violence is on the rise in schools and I believe it is because of the example they have been given for so long. We say it’s justice. But it’s not. It is revenge. It is taking the law into our own hands.
We must set the example for their sake. So they can be the example in their worlds too. What if the kids that fight at school (something we’ve prayed about) saw that you were seeking to end those fights with love and kindness.
I remember seeing a video of a fight between two teenagers in the street in 2017 and a man comes along and says, “You’re in the street. Why are you fighting? What caused you to do this? You’ve been ill advised. Look at your friends…the people who say they are your friends. Are they trying to calm this down? No, they are laughing at you, recording you with their phones, egging you on. Is that what you need? We have enough violence. Over what? You can’t talk this through and shake hands? Think about your parents and where you come from. I’m not leaving until you shake hands.
The three ended up on the Steve Harvey show as the hero of the week. When asked why he did this, Ibn Ali Miller said he wants people to know to love God first, because a man without God is no man at all. Second to have reverence for their parents regardless of any shortcomings they have. After that, love yourself. If you can’t love yourself, you cannot love other people. You cannot forgive if you don’t have that deep love for yourself and your future and for God.
INVITATION
Some of you have a hard time with this because you’ve been wronged and haven’t seen justice. Know this: justice will come with Jesus’ return. Until then, have mercy and have grace. As we learned early on in this series, Jesus says that blessed are the merciful and blessed are the peacemakers.
This morning if you have a need, come…
