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 an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two . . . Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you (Matthew 5:38-42).
The people of Israel during the time of Jesus lived under Roman occupation. Many Jews became freedom fighters – Zealots. The Romans considered the Zealots to be rebels and terrorists. Even so, Roman occupation exacted its own terrors. The Jews were violently abused, their properties were confiscated, and many were drafted into forced labor – slavery.
Many generations earlier, the children of Abraham toiled under Egyptian taskmasters. They groaned under the burden and cried out to God for deliverance (Exodus 1:13-14; 2:23-25). God warred against the Egyptians, delivered the children of Abraham (Exodus 15:3-6), and created of them a holy nation, a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:6).
Many Jews of Jesus’ day looked for a new Moses, or a new Joshua, for a Messiah who would make war against Rome and restore the fortunes of the nation of Israel. In fact, Jesus was a new Joshua, the anointed One. Jesus came to make war against the powers of oppression and darkness, and set all people free.
The question before us is, “How do we live in a world oppressed by the corruption of power and money?” Jesus’ answer is that Christians are to resist by a radical generosity. Justice gives way to grace and mercy. “An eye for an eye” may seem just, but it enables a vicious circle of violence. By engaging in a radical generosity, Jesus changes the rules. A radical generosity means that we love our enemies and seek ways of demonstrating grace.
Jesus is not suggesting that the oppressed surrender to their taskmasters; but that the oppressed surrender hatred of their taskmasters. This radical generosity is exemplified in the cross. Jesus could have called for a legion of angelic warriors to deliver him from the Romans. But instead, when struck he turned the other cheek. On the cross, he sacrificed his life so that even His accusers could be reconciled to God. He cried out, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).
Radical generosity is much more than being faithful in giving tithes and offerings. It is living a generous life. But being faithful in the grace of giving reminds us that we are called to a different kind of warfare. We may groan under the burden of injustice. But our acts of radical generosity demonstrate that Christ has disarmed the rulers and authorities, made a public display of them, and triumphed over them (Colossians 2:15). We are “triumphantly victorious, by the power of him who loved us” (Romans 8:37, NJB).
