A Platform for Evangelism – Matthew 5:38-42

I recently heard a message from pastor and author Tim Keller about evangelism in our current American culture. He talked about how much the mindset has changed since mere decades ago and how we must change the way we present the gospel. One way he noted was that we must reclaim the unique “early church social project” which included being multi-ethnic, committed to the poor, never retaliating, pro-life, and sexually counter cultural. The first two items sound like our democrats, the last two like our Republicans, with no one affirming the middle one.

There is perhaps no teaching of Jesus that has sparked more resistance than his teaching on retaliation.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. (Matthew 5:38–42, ESV)

In cultures where there is little recourse to law enforcement officers and court systems avenging wrongs done to you and your family is left to you. And even in cultures with strong law enforcement systems, the pull to retaliation is strong. The counter-cultural teaching of the Law of Moses is that retaliation and punishment must be equal to the offense. You cannot penalize someone with death for blinding your eye or knocking out your tooth. The punishment must be no more severe than the crime. An eye for an eye is a limitation on vengeance and retaliation.

But Jesus takes things a step further. Our whole determination to get retaliatory justice for ourselves in personal offences is challenged. When we return evil for evil we are betraying an evil bent in our own hearts. Jesus is not saying we should neglect to follow the justice process for crimes committed. His examples are not crimes committed against us but personal attacks and offensive appeals.

It has often been noted that the slap to the right cheek by a right handed person is a backhanded slap, not a punch to the face. It is disgraceful treatment. Being sued is offensive, not strictly illegal. Being made to carry a Roman soldier’s gear for a mile (something Rome set as a limit in occupied countries) is a personal imposition, as is being begged for money or to borrow your personal possessions.

What Jesus seems to be challenging is our self-centered need to have our personage acknowledged as valuable. This is the opposite of what he is going to talk about next, loving our neighbor. This drive is more a demand that you love me…or else. But that drive severely handicaps my ability to love you. The drive that should move us is to love people, even the ones or especially the ones who hurt us. Our sense of value doesn’t come from how others treat us but from our relationship with the living God. We don’t have to establish our own value by retaliating.

Shouldn’t Christians be known for this? Would this not blow the minds of any culture? This would be a powerful platform for evangelism. Sadly, l don’t see us American Christians standing on this platform.