Eye for an Eye

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'  But I tell you not to resist an evil person.  But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.  If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.  And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.  Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away."  Matthew 5:38-42

This is Jesus talking to us in Matthew 5.  His reference "eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" is from Exodus 21:24 and is a part of the Law of Moses.  Exodus 21:24 reads, "eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe."  

Though the law was certainly unforgiving, can anyone really argue against this type of justice?  What one offender deserves, he receives in a proportional way- not more, not less.  Such is the judgement of a just and righteous God.  And such is what we can expect to receive when our time comes- save for the Lord Jesus Christ who takes away the sin of the world!  

Isaiah 53:5 says, "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed." 

Christ took the punishment of the law for us.  It was an exchange: His life for ours.  This is what we call substitutionary atonement- the innocent for the guilty.  And we are the beneficiaries of this arrangement if we place our trust in Jesus who is our Justifier.  Romans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

So then, what is Jesus asking us to do in Matthew 5?  He is reminding us that the law was unforgiving, but we are not to be this way.  As God has had mercy on us, we are to have mercy on others.