Matthew 5:38-42 What to do When
Someone Takes Advantage of You
Introduction: Before announcing the text, let me ask, what would
you do if without provocation someone slaps your face? What do you think you should do? Let Jesus answer this last question.
I. The Law says, “An eye for an eye and a
tooth for a tooth. Verse 38
A. In Exodus
21:22-25 the Law speaks of an expectant mother being accidentally injured by
men who
are fighting so that
she looses the baby.
1. The
Law instructs the court judge how to deal with such a case.
2. In event of a miscarriage only, the man guilty of the injury
is to pay a fine.
3. But
in case of other bodily injury, he is to pay an eye for an eye, tooth for
tooth, etc.
4. The
woman’s husband is not at liberty to do this; it is a court sentence and
punishment.
B. In Leviticus
24:19-20 the Law speaks of any injury to anyone.
1. The
court was to punish an eye for an eye.
2. So
it was in Deuteronomy19:21.
C. The Law never
authorized personal vengeance or retaliation.
Deuteronomy 32:35 (Vengeance belongeth
to me).
II. The abuse of the Law.
A. The Israelites
had used the Law as an excuse for personal retaliation and revenge.
B. Americans do
the same thing.
1.
They retaliate blow for blow, dirty dig for dirty dig.
2.
Often they retaliate two blows for one.
3.
They may even seek to get in the first blow.
III. What Jesus says. Verses 39-42 (He did not change the Law, but
gives a code of personal conduct).
A. Turn the other
cheek, verse 39.
B. Give the cloak
also, Verse 40.
1. The
coat was an undergarment.
2. The
cloak was an outer garment and bed.
C. Go the extra
mile, verse 41.
D. Lend or give, verse 42.
E. Jesus does not
teach hand outs to free loaders but aid to the needy, II Thessalonians 3:10.
IV. A summary.
A. Do not try to
take vengeance but do good in return for evil.
(Turn the other cheek, give more than he
asks, do more than he asks).
B. Only by such
kindness can we hope to win the offender to Christ and Christ’s way.
C. Even if we do
not win him, we please the Lord.
D. Do not worry
about vengeance. That is the Lord’s
business.
Conclusion: 1. Pray for me that I may do the Lord’s
will in such matters.
2. In
whatever way you have already failed to do the Lord’s will repent and ask
forgiveness.
He forgives.
3.
Then pray for strength that you will do the Lord’s will in the future.
(A prayer is better than a
pledge).
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