Retaliation

Retaliation.  It’s in our veins.  Have you noticed we all (well, most of us maybe) like those Charles Bronson, Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan or Steven Seagal movies of the underdog who was misused, abused, beaten up, and then at the end of the movie gets back at his enemies!  Or maybe the primetime “teleserye” where the poor girl is mistreated by the rich mayordoma, and in the end the poor girl gets her way.  Or  the criminal who used his power to destroy others, and in the end ends up in prison, or with a disability.

If you hurt me, I’ll hurt you back.  If you insult me, I’ll insult you back.  As far as history can bring us, even in Jesus’ time, this was the “rule” in the heart of people.  What is interesting is that Jews used the law to justify their retaliating against a wrong done to them.

Matthew 5:38 (NIV)
38 "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'

Now that’s what we want!  You take my eye, I’ll take your eye, plus a little more.  If a driver cuts in my lane, I’ll run after him and cut in his lane!  If someone hits me, he’s dead meat!  Many times we imagine these scenes in our minds.

But what did Jesus teach?  What was the right application of this law?

Matthew 5:39-42 (NIV)
39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.
41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

These examples of our Lord were not criminal acts, or acts of evil in society.  These were personal circumstances, insults and maltreatment towards a person. What our Lord was saying was simple – Don’t Retaliate!  Don’t be like them, don’t have the same heart, the same evil motive, the same anger as those who are insulting or maltreating you!  Retaliation must never be in the heart of a Christian.

Many will ask if these commands of the Lord are literal – turn the other cheek, give him your cloak, walk with him two miles.  These were just Jesus’ way of saying – don’t fight back.  Don’t do the same.  Don’t resist.  We should respond as Jesus responded to insults and pain.  How did He respond?

1 Peter 2:21-23 (NIV)
21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
22 "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth."
23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

To be struck on the right cheek was not only painful (for it would be the backhand that would strike), but it was considered an insult.

Our Lord did not retaliate, did not threaten, when others were insulting Him and treating Him badly.  He instead ENTRUSTED HIMSELF TO HIM WHO JUDGES JUSTLY.  When we retaliate we entrust ourself to ourself.  But when a Christian is insulted, or maltreated, he first entrusts himself to a greater and more powerful Judge!  He allows God to take control of the situation, and not himself.

Romans 12:17-19 (NIV)
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.
18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.