Justice

Scripture/Bible: "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 one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; 40 and if anyone would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; 41 and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you.  Matt 5:38-42

Reflection:  I can’t accept this logic: “do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; and if anyone would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you.”

What sort of a world we will be creating if we put into practice what Jesus has to teach. 

Can Christians then be called the greatest promoters of evil by not fighting for a cause which is evil nor resisting it?  And what if Jesus has taken away the burden of the Law and prophets, has he not placed a greater burden on us by asking us not to resist one who is evil.

We tend to look at situation from the angle of what has been accomplished and not from the angle of what could have been accomplished apart from that particular situation.

Let’s look at history, where men and women have resisted that which is evil to usher in an era of peace, brotherhood and equality. How successful have they been in their agenda?

Ultimately, it is not the historical or collective angle that Jesus is looking at, though that too may be included but the individual angle which comes across strongly through this passage.

For why would one resist evil as an individual, if not for selfish desires, pride and greed? The human sinful desires are the key factor for resistance to evil rather than evil in itself.

Hence, the strongest message that comes through from the teaching of Jesus is this; vanquishing evil by human strength and intellect is not the end of all things. Nor are defeat, humiliation, ill-treatment, public shame brought about through false allegation and finally ignoble death, the end of all.

There is the hope of the judgment in this life and the eternal life which is in store for those who believe; “For we know him who said, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge his people." It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”  Heb 10:30-31

Prayer: “Arise, O Lord, in thy anger, lift thyself up against the fury of my enemies; awake, O my God; thou hast appointed a judgment. Ps 7:6

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