38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Is this advocating abuse? That if someone beats on you that you should let them do it some more? Or that if someone steals from you that you should give them even more?
I’ve heard someone say that this is very literal. We must always give to anyone who asks. But again, if we take this literal, then people should likewise be cutting off their hands like Jesus said because every has participated in lust/fantasy.
God is a God of boundaries. Even Jesus disappeared into the crowd and left when things were getting too heated. He didn’t stay and get abused. And when he was instructing his disciples, he said if someone doesn’t welcome you and treat you well, leave that town and shake the dust off your feet.
The “eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth” text was meant to signify that a punishment was to equal the crime. But the problem is that people were using as a means of getting vengeance. He had to correct that and go the extreme opposite.
Remember we are in shock text series of Jesus. Jesus isn’t advocating for abusiveness. What he is teaching is love people, even your enemies. Not being vengeful. Be kind to them. “Go the extra mile” in serving people. Don’t just be a little bit generous with your time and resources, be extra generous. To everyone.
In a day where this nation is ruled heavily by greed and fear, we would do well to hear this. Kindness matters. Going above and beyond matters even if someone does not recognize you are doing that.