Jesus' Teaching on Retaliation (Matt. 5:38-42)

Outline: Matthew 5:38-42

1. Pharisee’s Interpretation
2. Jesus’ Interpretation
3. Jesus’ Illustrations

Summary: Jesus’ fulfillment of the OT should cause us to excel in our obedience to the OT in such a way that exceeds the surface “obedience” of the scribes and Pharisees (Matt. 5:20). Jesus addresses the issue of retaliation in his fifth example of the type of heart-obedience God desires. The Pharisees missed the heart of God in their interpretation of the law, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” The Pharisee’s interpreted this law to justify their personal vengeance, something this law was never meant to do (Lev. 19:18). This law meant that when someone committed an offense, the courts and the judges had the authority to administer fair and equal punishment to the offending party. Jesus, however, brings us back to the heart of God’s law, which is love. Jesus cares about our reaction when an offense is done against us. He is calling us to respond in love by laying down our rights and dying to self. He then gives us four illustrations of rights that we have and how we should respond when others are infringing upon them.

Discussion Questions:

• How did the Pharisees understand the retaliation laws of the OT (Ex. 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21)?
• What does Jesus teach about retaliation (v.39a)?
• What were the rights Jesus used to illustrate his teaching with (v.39-42)?
• What response is Jesus looking for when these rights are being infringed upon?
• How has Jesus been our perfect example when it comes to responding well to mistreatment? (1 Peter 2:23; Isa. 50:6; Phil 2:5-8)?
• How would you describe the heart of Jesus’ teaching with a simple phrase?
• How would you counsel someone who is tempted to retaliate?

Application Questions

• How do you typically respond when someone infringes on your rights or offends you?
• Of the four rights Jesus illustrates for us (dignity, possessions, time, money), which do you find to be the most challenging to lay down?
• Within your current relationships are there any rights that are being disrespected? How is Jesus calling you to respond?

Prayer Points

• Confess any sinful responses that you have had in times of offense.
• Praise God that He does not respond with retaliation when we sin.
• Praise God that He has sent His Holy Spirit to help us obey well in times of mistreatment. 
• Ask God to make you someone who lives out the gospel in the way you react to offense.

Written by Caleb Janson, Pastoral Apprentice

Jesus' Teaching on Anger (Matt. 5:21-26)

Outline: Matthew 5:21-26

1. Understand it
2. Obey it

Summary: Having described the type of kingdom character (5:2-11) that will make Jesus' followers stand out from the world (vv.13-16), Jesus clearly states that he came not to void out but to fill out the OT (5:17-20).  Since Jesus came to fulfill the OT, we can and should excel in our obedience to the OT in such a way that exceeds the "obedience" of the scribes and pharisees.  It is this superior obedience to the Law described in v.20 that Jesus is going to unpack using six different examples in vv.21-48 (anger, lust, divorce, oaths, retaliation, love of enemies).  Jesus first teaches on the law "You shall not murder," helping us to understand it and to obey it.  With strong and serious language, Jesus brings us back to the heart of this Law, teaching us that it was never about merely avoiding the external act of murder; rather, the Law itself called for a deeper and more demanding level of obedience.  Don't murder, of course.  But also avoid allowing anger to brew in the heart.  Jesus teaches that a murderous heart is just as damning as a murderous act.  Therefore, to avoid murder we must deal with the heart issue of anger by promptly pursuing reconciliation (vv.23-26).

Discussion Questions:

• What misunderstanding of "do not murder" is Jesus correcting in vv.21-22? 
• What is the proper understanding of this law and how should this shape our view of the Law?
• "A murderous heart is just as damning as a murderous act." How can this be?
• What is the relationship between murder and anger? (cf. 1 John 3:15). 
• What do Jesus' two mini parables teach us about how we are to obey this command (vv.23-26)?
• Who should initiate the reconciliation process, the offender or the offended (cf. 5:23, 18:15; 11:25)?  What principle can we arrive at in terms of dealing with conflicts?
• Discussion: Anger is a "bottom feeder."  You can feed it and foster it or starve it and spear it! 
• How would you counsel this person: “I know I'm saved, but I’m struggling deeply with anger!”
• How should we think about conflict resolution with unbelievers (cf. Rom. 12:18)?

Application Questions:

• Do I tend to focus on surface obedience or heart obedience?
• Is there anyone in my life against whom I'm harboring anger or resentment?
• What would it look like for me to humbly and faithfully obey Jesus words about dealing with anger and pursuing reconciliation?
• How can I seek to starve anger (the destructive bottom feeder) that can grow in my heart?
• How can I protect my brothers or sisters from the destructive power of unchecked anger?

Prayer Points:

• Confess any anger your are harboring against another person.
• Praise God for sending Jesus to absorbed the wrath that would have been poured out on you.
• Praise God for the gift of the Holy Spirit to help you understand and obey God's word.
• Ask God to bring to mind anyone whom you are angry with or whom may be angry with you.
• Ask for courage and humility to promptly pursue reconciliation with those brought to mind.