The Word in Focus with Dr Larry Taylor

Thoughts on the Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5-7

Part 8

Six examples of how our righteousness (dikaiosuné), true inner goodness, doing right by God, self, others, and creation out of right motives, needs to exceed the standard religiosity (continued): 

1. Oaths.

Jews at one time swore by the name of God, but by the time of Jesus, it was customary not to speak God’s name (YHWH) because it was considered too holy. So, to emphasize a point, people started swearing by things close to God: the temple, the heavens, the altar. Under all those oaths was the desire to manipulate others, put a period on arguments, render things as nonnegotiable. 

Jesus says to put aside all the oaths. Stop trying to manipulate others. Stop trying to add weight to your words. Just tell the truth; be true to your word; develop open, honest, transparent dialogue. 

^5:33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, (Lev. 19:12) but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’ (see Ecc. 5:4-7) ³⁴ But I say to you: Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, ³⁵ or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ³⁶ And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. ³⁷ Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one.

Don’t play the God card. Don’t use words to manipulate, like when we hear someone say, “God told me…” or “The Bible says …” Respect others’ opinions. God is never coercive, and we shouldn’t be either. More than simple honesty comes from the evil one.

2. Retaliation.

^5:38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ (Exodus 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21) ³⁹ But I say to you: Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also, ⁴⁰ and if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, give your coat as well, ⁴¹ and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. ⁴² Give to the one who asks of you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.

An eye for an eye isn’t unique to the Hebrew Bible. The ancient law codes of Hammurabi say essentially the same thing. Fallen human nature wants revenge. It wants to strike back harder. And so, we have nations lobbing missiles back and forth. Responding to hurt with vengeance always escalates the situation. So, limiting things to just one eye for an eye was designed to prevent escalation. How many professing Christians live up to even the Old Testament standard? 

Jesus is not recommending being a doormat. He is not saying to do nothing, or let the bad stuff keep happening. This verse has often been misused and weaponized, especially against women. I know of women who were counseled to go home and submit to abusive partners only to be seriously injured and in some instances killed.

The Greek phrase translated “do not resist” means don’t resist in kind; don’t treat them as they treated you.

Jesus is calling us to creative nonviolent resistance, which leads to freedom for all involved. Resist evil doers with nonviolent dignity. Jesus gives us an example.

A backhand slap to the right cheek was evidence of public shaming; it was a severe insult, an attack on a person’s dignity. It was saying, “I am your superior. You are nothing, nobody.” Standing and offering other cheek, forced another slap with open palm of the right hand. (Most people are right-handed, so the illustration is given from that perspective.) An openhanded slap symbolized social equals. It was a creative, nonviolent way of saying, “I am a worthy human being of equal value and status with you.”

“If I’m not who you say I am, then you are not who you think you are.” – James Baldwin

Normal dress consisted of an inner garment called a tunic (shirt) worn next to the skin, and an outer garment (coat/cloak) that kept you warm. Rabbis forbade suing someone for their outer garment because outer coat or cloak was all a poor person had. It was their blanket at night and their wardrobe by day.  

Radical Jesus says, if you’re sued, offer all your clothes. St. Francis was sued by his father who claimed Francis was wearing clothing he (the father) had purchased. Francis reportedly stripped naked in the courtroom and announced he was from then on only reliant on his heavenly Father. The shock value of such an act exposes injustice. Generosity subverts injustice.

Roman soldiers could legally grab anyone and force them to carry their military gear a mile. But not more than a mile. Jesus is calling us to befriend the enemy. Volunteer to keep carrying the pack. Talk with the soldier as you walk. Get to know him. See his humanity. Let him see yours. Acting like a friend and blessing your enemy, seeking to make your enemy into a friend, is the Kingdom way. By doing so, I’m giving you the opportunity to think better of me, and I’m giving myself an opportunity to think better of you. Go the second mile in love. Jesus isn’t suggesting we begrudgingly carry the guy’s pack two miles then drop it on his foot.

Like everything in the Sermon on the Mount, this is a principle, not a law. If you’re a heart surgeon on your way to save lives, it’s a good idea to ignore other demands on your time.