Concerning Getting Revenge and Loving Your Enemies
Matthew 5:38-48
1. Jesus pointed to two laws and one application. (vs. 38, 43)
a. An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
i. Ex. 21:24, Lev. 24:20, Deut. 19:21
b. Love your neighbor and hate your enemy
i. Lev. 19:18
2. Jesus made two clarifications. (vs. 39, 44)
a. Jesus taught His followers to surrender their rights of retaliation.
b. Jesus taught His followers to love and pray for their enemies.
3. Jesus teaches when and why. (vs. 39-41, 45-47)
a. When does this teaching apply?
i. When they crush your dignity
ii. When they confiscate your possessions
iii. When they constrict your liberty
b. Why is this lifestyle commanded?
i. Because the followers of Christ are to be like Him.
ii. Because the Father loves His enemies.
iii. Because there is a benefit to loving your enemies.
4. Jesus teaches how to prepare yourself to love adversarial people. (vs. 42, 48)
a. Adopt a policy of giving and sharing.
b. Strive to be holy.
Three takeaways:
1. Your retaliation for wrongdoing is an attempt to overstep God.
2. You reflect the love of God best when you love someone who resists you like you resisted God.
3. Live like holiness depends on you, but trust the standard was met by Christ.
