Red in Tooth and Claw – Vengeance and the Kingdom

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Questions: Red in Tooth and Claw – Vengeance and the Kingdom (Matt. 5:38-42)

Introduction

In some ways, we may think that this is one of the more shocking passages in the Sermon on the Mount! The old adage that if we really lived out “eye for an eye, and tooth for tooth,” the most popular professions in the world would be optometrists and dentists! But Jesus wants to give us the proper way we are to apply this to our lives as kingdom citizens. Let’s begin…

1. The Law, on the surface, looks like a no-brainer. The purpose of the law was justice, fairness, and protection. Part of why we have laws is the creation of a just, impartial and unbiased court of appeal so as to encourage and uphold a law-abiding society. This good law acted as a restraint. So, what were the Scribes up to? How did they advocate its application?
2. Why are favoritism, corruption, dishonesty and bribes so dishonorable in the legal system? What are the dangers?
3. So, a good law for the settling of disputes in a court of law, now became a guiding principle for everything in the private arena. It became a way of respond to every offence against us in our personal life, not just in the arena of the court. What do you think are the implications of that?
4. When it is left to a personal subjective judgment, we tend to lean to personal justification for every response. In other words, we become judge and jury! How do you feel when you are wronged? What is your initial reaction?
5. Getting to the proper intention of this law in the kingdom of God, Jesus is essentially saying that “personal vindictiveness is never justifiable.” Give some thought to this. How has this happened in your own life? 
6. So, the intention of this law was to restrain vindictive responses in society that justice would reign in the land and in the court. And of course, that’s a good thing. But the righteousness of the kingdom goes a mile beyond that in the expectations of the King. In what way?
7. “Do not resist and evil person,” is Jesus response to even the good and literal understanding of the law of retribution just mentioned! How would this have shocked the original hearers? Does it offend you? Is this not against nature, in some way? Could this not lead to door-mat Christianity? What is the intention of Jesus?
8. I said that “the desire of God is to minimize your legal rights as a Christian.” If that is true, then we are not saying that is unimportant! We are saying that there is a greater priority. What is it?
9. I state that “We are all called to live where rights are not the foundation of any relationship.” How would that affect our way of thinking?
10. If I am set free from requiring justice for personal wrongs done to me, what could that give birth to?
11. “But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” What did it mean for Jesus, “to not stand on His rights,” when insulted, slapped, persecuted, mocked and finally killed? Why did He do that? Look up Isaiah 53:7 and I Peter 2:21-25 for an answer.
12. “And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.” I said that, what is at issue is the rule of God in the heart and the priority of seeing the other person in eternal terms.” What do you think I’m getting at?
13. “And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.”  What would that mean for us? In the message I responded – “I tell you that it would demolish the evil rule of Satan in our town and the infiltration of the rule of God through a community of servants who are governed by the way of Christ and not the way of personal comfort! Have you ever heard anything so subversive? How would that possibly happen? What is the principle in this command of Jesus? 
14. Lastly, “Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.” I said that “the kingdom of God is defined more by the generosity that is rooted in grace than in the personal benefits we receive in Christ.” How would this govern us if grace controlled us?
15. The rule and the reign of God in our hearts and in our church, changes everything. Answer this question carefully: Is it worth it? Why? Why not?