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).

 

Preached at Pleasant Hill 7-4-82 A.M.