Jesus continues: "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth'" (v. 38). This is the oldest law in the world, known as the Lex Talionis. It appears in the Code of Hammurabi, dated to 2285 B.C. It is in the Old Testament as well: "If any harm follows, then you shall give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe" (Exodus 21:23-25).

Before this law, if I wrecked your car you could destroy my house. If I injured your child, you could kill all my children. The original purpose of the law was thus to limit vengeance. Only the one who caused the injury could be punished, not his entire family or tribe. And only to the degree that he has injured another, protecting him from a more powerful enemy. This law did not promote retribution--it limited it.

Now Jesus takes the principle further: "Do not resist an evil person" (v. 39b). Even though you have the right, don't insist upon them. He gives us four examples of his principle at work.

Your honor: "If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also" (v. 39c). "Strikes" in the original means to "slap." The right hand was the only one used in public. To slap your right cheek with my right hand was an insult, not a threat to life and limb. Jesus says, Don't slap back. Someone insults you--don't insult them.

Your possessions: "If someone wants to use you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well" (v. 40). Your "tunic" was your undershirt with sleeves; it could be taken in a lawsuit. Your "cloak" could not, for it protected you from the elements. But give it anyway. Don't insist on your rights.

Your time: "If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles" (v. 41). Jesus refers to the power of a Roman soldier to make a Jew carry his military pack for one mile. Carry it two miles. Sacrifice the time, though you don't have to. Do it anyway.

Your money: "Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you" (v. 42). As Augustine reminds us, we are not told to give everything we are asked for, but to give to every person who asks. Even though it is your right not to.

Refuse retribution. Stop the cycle of vengeance. Don't repeat the gossip or slander. Refuse to return insult for insult, pain for pain. It has been noted that an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth is a rapid way to a sightless, toothless world. Two brothers were fighting; when their mother stopped them, the oldest complained, "But he hit me back!" Don't hit back. Stop the cycle of vengeance.

(5:43-48)

Instead, pray for the person who has hurt you: "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (v. 44). This statement has no parallel in the Jewish tradition or literature. No religious teacher in world history ever suggested such an ethic.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was martyred while practicing these words, said about them, "The Christian must treat his enemy as a brother, and requite his hostility with love. His behavior must be determined not by the way others treat him, but by the treatment he himself receives from Jesus" (The Cost of Discipleship 164).

How has Jesus treated us? On the cross he prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34). How are we to treat others? As Stephen was being stoned to death, he spoke his last words: "Lord, do not hold this sin against them" (Acts 7:60).

We love our enemies because Jesus loves us and he loves our enemies. Sam James was a career Southern Baptist missionary to Vietnam. I will never forget a story I heard him tell in that regard. After a particularly long, hot, difficult day, he returned to his apartment to find that thieves had stolen everything but his couch. That was the last straw. He collapsed on the couch in frustration, and began to tell the Lord that he had lost his love for the Vietnamese. "You've got to send me somewhere else, Lord--I just don't love the Vietnamese any more." And the Lord replied to his soul, "You're not here because you love the Vietnamese--you're here because I love the Vietnamese."

Love your enemies by praying for them. Do it because God loves them. And you'll learn to love them as well.