“An eye for an eye.” That’s what Moses taught back in Exodus 21:24, and ever since that time, people have used this verse to justify getting back at those who have harmed us. But if you look closely at the context of Moses’ teaching, he’s actually placing limits on the consequences for sin, not trying to encourage us to stick it to our enemies.

Here’s the situation. An innocent bystander, either a women or the baby she carries in her womb, is unintentionally injured in a fight between two men. Well, Moses says that the injured party can only insist that the guilty party receive the same harm that he caused and no more: if he put out your eye, you can put out his eye, but you can’t kill him. In this way, the Law sought to curtail the sorts of long-standing and escalating feuds that still tend to spring up between extended families. (And by the way, we notice that unborn children are given exactly the same rights as the mothers that carry them!)

But Jesus takes Moses’ limits against retribution to what seems to be a ridiculous extreme, doesn’t He? Instead of saying that you can only slap someone who slaps you, Jesus insists not only that you let him get away with it, but that you allow him to slap you again! Jesus says that we shouldn’t stand up for our rights in court, but give those who bring suit against us even more than they ask for!

And if that wasn’t enough, Jesus pointed to the Roman soldiers who were authorized to compel Jewish people to carry their baggage for a mile, and says that those who were so unjustly mistreated should offer to do even more for their oppressors! Finally, Jesus says that we are to be generous with our funds to everyone who asks help from us. How can any of this be right or fair or just?

Well, it’s not. But the more important thing to remember is that bringing justice to the wicked just isn’t the job of any individual follower of Christ. In fact, in Leviticus 19:18, Moses goes so far as to say, “You shall not take vengeance.” And in Deuteronomy 32:35, the Lord explains why: “Vengeance is Mine, and retribution.”

And so, instead of sticking up for ourselves, we are to follow the example of the Lord Jesus, Who allowed the greatest of all injustices to fall upon Him. For in doing so, He revealed the glory of God most clearly even to those who despised and rejected Him. And He calls all who trust in Him to do the same sort of thing, denying ourselves and taking up our own crosses (Matthew 10:38; 16:34). Will we do that today?

Exodus 21:22-25 (NASB)

22 “And if men struggle with each other and strike a woman with child so that she has a miscarriage, yet there is no further injury, he shall surely be fined as the woman’s husband may demand of him; and he shall pay as the judges decide.
23 “But if there is any further injury, then you shall appoint as a penalty life for life,
24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.

Matthew 5:38-42 (NASB)

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’
39 “But I say to you, do not resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 “And if anyone wants to sue you, and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.
41 “And whoever shall force you to go one mile, go with him two.
42 “Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.