Title: Strike Your Right cheek
If you slap me on the right cheek (Matthew 5:21-42)
<Introductory words>
The Bible is a book written by 35-6 authors over 1500 years. The authors vary by occupation over time, and God used human personality, personality, education level, and knowledge as it is. Even if you look only at the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the four Gospels, they sound different like the song parts, but surprisingly, they harmonize with one idea. This is because it was written inaccurately by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
In the text, Jesus continues to say, 'You have heard it'. In the Old Testament era, the printing press was not developed, so ordinary people could not read the Bible, and the Pharisees and librarians often distorted the interpretation of the Bible arbitrarily and conveniently. For this reason, the general public often relied on word of mouth to listen to the Bible. Because distorted oral traditions must be interpreted right away, Jesus is explaining the right word of God to people.
I. Jesus' Interpretation of Murder
I heard that anyone who kills will be judged. But Jesus said that everyone who offends his brother will be judged, whoever calls him raga (empty-headed fool, fool) will be caught in the council, and anyone who calls him a fool will be thrown into hellfire.
It means that even if you don't kill someone yourself, making people angry and ignoring them is also a crime.
II. Jesus' Interpretation of Adultery
Jesus interprets that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery (28). Normal and healthy people have sexual desires. If you become a saint and have no obscene thoughts, you are not a human being, you are a lie. But emotions shouldn't stay for long. You shouldn't be lustful. Just as a bird hatches an egg when it lays eggs, so when a bird lays eggs of lust, they commit adultery.
(1) Do not come near to gatherings of prostitutes or their houses
(2) Be careful what you see
(3) Watch your lips
(4) Be careful with your clothes
(5) Beware of evil friends
(6) Beware of obscene books
(7) Fear God.
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not yours, but you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.”
(1 Corinthians 6:19)
III. Jesus' Interpretation of the Oath
Don't swear in vain and keep your oath to the Lord (33), but Jesus tells us not to swear at all. Neither heaven nor earth, nor your head. Only what you say is right, right, no, no. Anything that passes from this comes from evil.(37)
I swear a lot (swearing that I can't keep). It is too easy to swear by the sky, swear by life, swear by honor. An oath is not in vain. I cannot say with confidence because I do not know what will happen tomorrow. It's not bad to just promise. Because I can do my best to keep it.
Psalm 15 tells us to repay a vow, even if it hurts. Be the one who keeps the promises.
IV. Jesus' Interpretation of the Harm
In response to the saying, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,” Jesus said, do not oppose the evil one. If anyone slaps the right cheek, he turns the left side as well. If he wants to bring a accusation, he will take his robe. He told him not to refuse anyone who wanted to give it to him and borrow it.
Jewish society did not use the left hand in public. Therefore, hitting the right cheek means that an unexpected attack was made from behind, and that the assailant hit the opponent on the cheek with the back of his right hand. This is an act that hurts and insults. However, they are told to return the left cheek as well. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:20-21).
V. Jesus' Interpretation of the Enemy
Jesus told us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. If you love those you love, there is no reward, and this is the work of a publican. Greeting a brother is a work of the Gentiles as well. Jesus demands that we be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect. Love and pray for those who kill, slander, and persecute me.
<Conclusion>
Many of those who tried to kill the adulterous woman in the temple were told that the innocent should be the first to stone him. When everyone was scattered, he told the woman to go back without accusing her of her sins and not to sin again. Jesus' concern was to prevent the murder of all who wanted to kill a woman before saving the woman. Even if the majority kill, the sin is not dispersed or weakened. Jesus did not come to abolish the law, but to perfect the law. What makes it whole? We become perfect when we are faithful to the teachings of Jesus. Verse 48 says, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”