Results 1 - 3 of 3
|
|
|||||
Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Explain eye for eye/turn cheek? | Matt 5:1 | inmyheart | 60624 | ||
One thought on turning the other cheek was to show the other person that you were equal to him. They would slap on the right side of your cheek with the back of their right hand, showing they were superior to the one being hit, but when the victim turned his cheek, left cheek, this would not have the same effect, because it demostrated he was equal to the one hitting him. (38-42) Jesus interprets the law of retribution a. The Mosaic law did teach an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth (Exodus 21:24); but the religious teachers had moved it out of its proper sphere (a principle limiting retribution for the civil government) and put it in the wrong sphere (as an obligation in personal relationships) b. Jesus presents the fullness of this law: "the non-resistance of evil." i. This is a radical command, but not an absolute one: Jesus Himself resisted evil when He turned tables in the temple ii. This principle is also relevant to personal relationships, and not to the proper functions of government in restraining evil (Romans 13:1-4); I must turn my cheek when I am personally insulted (the cultural meaning of a slap on the cheek), but the government has a responsibility to restrain the evil man from physical assault iii. Jesus also displayed the principle behind the law in His trials before the Sanhedrin and Pilate: we are to let God defend our case, not ourselves c. Positively, we are told to take command of evil impositions by making a deliberate choice to give more than we are required i. Roman law commanded Jews (in their Judean occupation) to carry the pack of any Roman soldier, but only for one mile; Jesus is saying "go beyond the one mile required by law and give another mile out of a free choice of love" ii. This is how we change someone's attempt to manipulate us into our free act of love d. The only limit to this kind of sacrifice is the limit that love itself will impose; it isn't love to give into someone's manipulation without our transforming it into a free act of love; it isn't always love to give or to not resist e. Jesus clearly says that we are not to resist the evil person; "we are to resist evil itself at every opportunity." It has been said that Martin Luther King Jr. used this non-violent approach in his equal rights marches. Also, the thought of giving your cloak also when they ask for your coat, was to bring shame to those who ask, because under your cloak was your nakeness. God bless |
||||||
2 | Need better explanation on Ex21:24, etc. | Matt 5:1 | Papyrus | 116817 | ||
I'm not completely satisfied with the explanations on Ex 21:24 and Matthew 5:38. Is there someone who can explain it a little clearer, please. | ||||||
3 | Need better explanation on Ex21:24, etc. | Matt 5:1 | Biffbt | 116825 | ||
Our God is a fair and just God. I think that in the old testament, He demanded people to be treated fairly and wanted to punish people who did not treat others with love. HOWEVER, in the new testament, I feel that God has shown us a new way to live, and a kind of justice that comes only by knowing the lamb that was slain for us. Of course, I'm talking about Jesus who has paid for our sins with his life. I think the point Jesus was trying to make in Matthew 5:38 is that we should not worry about punishing the people who sin against us. That is God's job and that day will come. I think Jesus was explaining the message of love, which is the covenant we are called to live by according the the new testament. This is only my opinion. Hope it helps! |
||||||