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Matthew 5:38-42
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38“You have heard that it was
said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’
39But I tell you, do not
resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the
other cheek also.
40And if anyone wants to sue
you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.
41If anyone forces you to go
one mile, go with them two miles.
42Give to the one who asks
you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
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1)
According to what
Jesus said in verse 38 what is the traditional view of the legitimate attitude
toward retaliation?
o
The traditional view
of the legitimate attitude toward retaliation is
§
’Eye for eye.
§
And tooth for tooth’.
2)
What did Jesus
mean when he said, “But I
tell you” in verse 39?
o
Jesus intended
for what he was going to say to be superior to the traditional view.
3)
What was Jesus
conveying to us in verses 39 to 42?
o
Jesus was conveying
to us the proper attitude toward retaliation that is superior to the traditional
view.
4)
How do we account
for the discrepancy between Jesus’ behavior of not turning the other cheek in
John 18:22-23 and his teaching of turning the
other cheek in verse 39 in the current
passage?
o
In John 18:22-23
Jesus was standing up for his own rights without retaliation.
o
When
o
He had been
unfairly treated.
o
In the current passage
he was teaching on the proper attitude toward retaliation.
o
That accounts for
the discrepancy.
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud John 18:22-23 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
22When Jesus said this, one
of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. “Is this the way you answer
the high priest?” he demanded.
23“If I said something
wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth,
why did you strike me?”
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5)
What does the
discrepancy between John 18:22-23 and the current passage tell us about the
legitimacy of standing up for our own rights without retaliation when we have
been unfairly treated?
o
It is legitimate
for us to stand up for our own rights without retaliation.
o
When
o
We have been
unfairly treated.
6)
In light of the
discrepancy between John 18:22-23 and the current passage, should we interpret the
current passage literally?
o
No.
7)
Given that Jesus was
teaching on the proper attitude toward retaliation in the current passage, what
should be the context for interpreting the current passage?
o
The context for interpreting
the current passage should be the proper attitude toward retaliation.
8)
According to the
Roman law or practice how far could a Roman soldier requisition the aid of a Jew
to carry his load?
o
A Roman soldier
could requisition the aid of a Jew to carry his load for
§
One mile.
§
And one mile only.
9)
How then should
we interpret the current passage?
o
Jesus cited the
situations in verses 39 to 42 to inform us of the extent of the attitude of non-retaliation.
o
What Jesus means
is that we are not to retaliate.
o
Even when
o
Someone goes so
far as to
§
Slap us on both
cheeks.
§
Take both
Ø
Our shirt.
Ø
And our coat.
§
Break the Roman
law by forcing us to go two miles.
§
And ask and
borrow from us anything without returning it.
10)
Can we stand up
for our own rights in those situations?
o
Yes, we can without
retaliation, taking into consideration the totality of the gospel account.
11)
How did Jesus walk
his talk in demonstrating the attitude of non-retaliation exemplified in the current
passage throughout the entire process of his crucifixion, given Matthew 27:30, Mark
15:24, John 19:17 and Luke 23:42-43?
o
Let’s take a look
at these passages.
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud Matthew 27:30 that says,
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30They spit on him, and took
the staff and struck him on the head again and again.
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· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud Mark 15:24 that says,
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24And they crucified him.
Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get
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· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud John 19:17 that says,
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17Carrying his own cross, he
went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called
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· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud Luke 23:42-43 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
42Then he said, “Jesus,
remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
43Jesus answered him, “Truly
I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
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Matthew 5:38-42
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