An Eye for an Eye

The Bible is an amazing book. It has endured persecution and attacks throughout its existence. One of the attacks it continues to endure is bad interpretation. Today I read the speech of one politician who quoted the scripture completely out of context. His interpretation is a misuse of the scriptures to support his own agenda. That is something many people have done at one time or another.

Jesus witnessed the abuse of reckless interpretation of scripture. The general attitude of religious leaders in Jesus’ time was “An eye for an eye.” Whenever someone hurt them, they believed they had the right to make that person pay.  It was the law, and it was measure for measure. Jesus countered the erroneous view of scripture with a correct interpretation.

Matthew 5:39 “But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”

In Jesus’ day a blow on the right cheek was more than an injury. It was that and more. It was a huge insult. Most people would fight back. After all, it was a natural response to being wronged. Some of them would justify it by saying, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” Jesus said this is not at all what the law means. You have it completely backwards. The law was about making things right when we hurt someone else; it was never supposed to be about getting justice when someone hurts us.

Think about it, when was the last time you ever heard anyone quoting the law “An eye for an eye” when they were in the wrong? No, we quote it when we have been wronged. As Jesus often did, he hit the nail on the head with this explanation. He was saying to us, “When you wrong someone, make it right—whatever it takes. However, when someone wrongs you, show mercy and turn the other cheek; do not insist on justice.^[i]

You say that is impossible. I agree that, humanly speaking, it is impossible, but I think Jesus showed us how to live this way. When the soldiers mocked and brutally handled him, he never demanded justice.

Isaiah 50:6 “I offered my back to those who beat me,

my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;

I did not hide my face

from mocking and spitting.”

When he hung on the cross, he never demanded of his father “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth;” instead, he prayed that his father would show his executioners mercy.

Luke 23:34 “Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’  And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”

Only with God’s help and a complete surrender to God’s will can we live as Jesus lived. Let’s require of ourselves “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” when we wrong someone, but when we are wronged, let’s show them mercy.

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[i] Philip Graham Ryken, Exodus, Crossway Books, Wheaton, IL 2005, PP. 718-719.

Being a Father

A few months ago I was working at my computer with my little granddaughter Eliana sitting on my lap. She began digging in my shirt pocket as I continued to work. I watched out of the corner of my eye as she extracted stuff out of my pocket, piece by piece. She examined each item meticulously, my glasses, my pens and my pieces of paper.  I didn’t pay much attention because I thought she had pretty well cleaned me out. After a few minutes I noticed she was rather quiet and wasn’t fidgeting. I looked down at her, and she had found a tooth pick and had placed it in the corner of her mouth, exactly the way I do.

I could share a dozen examples of how my kids and grandkids have imitated me in some form or fashion. That’s what kids do. One of the primary ways we learn is by observing behavior and then implementing it. This may very well be the most powerful learning method our children will use. I have a question for myself and that is: How much of my words and behavior do I want them to imitate? I must admit not everything, but I hope most of what they see is worth imitating. Paul wrote to the Philippians admonishing them to pursue noble things in life, and then he followed it up by saying, “Imitate me!”

Phil 4:8-9

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

My father just turned 89 a few days ago. He has lived an exemplary life before me. He taught me so much about life, and, best of all, he continues to live out his faith and principles. I, in turn, have followed in his steps and modeled my faith for my children and grandchildren.  I don’t think there is anything more difficult and yet more rewarding than knowing you have special people following in your steps.

The best things in life are acquired through great effort. I would put marriage and the family in that category. One of the reasons there is so much divorce is that marriage is hard work and raising a family takes total commitment. I consider myself very blessed to have been married to the same woman for 40 years and to have raised my sons and daughter. Now, Marilyn and I are watching our children raise their little families. I still do everything I can to inspire them toward the noble things in life. I believe I am right when I say that the best thing I have ever done or will ever do is to live a life worth imitating.