REVENGE


Image result for free google photos of wrestling sport

One of the most entertaining TV show in the late 80's and early 90's in Kenya was wrestling, owing to the fact that we only had one television network (KBC) at the time. My favorite sportsman was Tito Santana; he was very swift and so tactical. Hulk ranked second in my list simply because he hardly lost a fight and also because he was well built despite his age. In this sport, newton's third law of motion applies. O'Donnell (2006) says that Newton's third law of motion can be called the law of "action and reaction." It states: "For every action there's an equal and opposite reaction." In other words, you can't help but hit back with the exact same force. 

In one of the most powerful sermons ever given in the history of the world, Jesus shares on lex talionis also known as "the Law of retaliation" in Matthew 5:38-41. This law found in Exodus 21:24,25; Leviticus 24:20 and Deuteronomy 19:21 covered the type of punishment meted out to transgressors. It limited the retribution that an offender would have to endure. It's purpose was not to require the injured party to inflict equal bodily harm on the one who had injured him, but to forbid him from inflicting greater bodily harm.

 Well, to the utter amazement of the congregation at that time, Jesus in v. 39-41 "39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.  40 "If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.  41 "And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two"  taught and introduced an interesting and what many in our time would regard as a controversial law: " the law of non-retaliation." He commands us to have a generous and a compassionate heart. He makes this application in four areas:

a. Physical attacks (v.39)
b. Legal suits (v.40)
c. Government demands (v.41) and
d. Financial requests (v.42)

He develops this further in the successive verses and just as it is with any sermon, the audience would decide on whether to act on what they've heard or not. It's worth noting especially for those who think that Jesus was speaking in hyperbolic terms,that in verse 45, "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." He said that this very law is being practiced by God Himself. Oh yes! We can attest to that.

 Well,  as we approach the Easter season, we can't help but acknowledge that this law was exemplified in His own life at  the cross where instead of unleashing his wrath on those mocking, spitting and mishandling Him, He prayed for them. How I pray that at the end of this sermon (in chapter 7), all of us will respond to the altar call requesting us to embrace the law of non-retaliation. It doesn't really matter what the offence was and how big it was, Christ commands you to rise above it.   We are no longer under lex talionis, we are under the law of non-retaliation. 

Reference:


O'Donnell, K. (2006). Sir Isaac Newton: Using the Laws of Motion to Solve Problems. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group.

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