An Eye for an Eye

Have you ever wanted revenge? Maybe a colleague stole credit for your hard work, or you were blamed for someone else’s wrongdoing. Or if someone hurt you with their words or actions, it’s natural to want to even the score. We rarely stop there, however; usually we want revenge plus interest. This can lead to a vicious cycle that can tear apart families, fracture communities, and even destroy nations.

Today’s passage in Leviticus applies the law from the story we read yesterday, and it reminds us of two things. First, all who are part of God’s covenant people are bound by the requirements of the covenant, whether they were born into God’s people or not. Justice applies to everyone. And, second, God’s law limits what we may seek from people who have wronged us: “an eye for an eye” (and no more). For example, if you injure or kill your neighbor’s animal, they may take one of your animals from you, but not two. Justice, properly practiced, has limits.

Jesus, however, challenges us further—to extend kindness even to people who have hurt us. In fact, that’s what God has done for us! Rather than treat us as our sins deserve by demanding our life from us, the Lord extends mercy to us in Christ, who gave up his own life for our sake. When we see how God has gone the extra mile to show us mercy, we can “turn . . . the other cheek” to people who have wronged us.