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Intermediate Sunday School Lesson 30 : THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT

Text: Matthew 5:38-42
24 July 2022

INTRODUCTION

1. The Moral Law is encoded in The Ten Commandments

2. There were other laws

a) Civil laws
b) They helped to uphold justice in the land

3. Unfortunately, these laws were not applied correctly

4. The Lord Jesus had to address these problems

LEX TALIONIS

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’

Matthew 5:38

1. This is called “The law of retaliation”

2. Some teach this as “Justice”

3. The literal idea is pressed by some:

a) If an eye is lost
The eye of the guilty party must be forfeit
b) If a tooth is lost
The tooth of the guilty party must be forfeit

THE ORIGIN OF THIS LAW

18 “If men contend with each other, and one strikes the other with a stone or with his fist, and he does not die but is confined to his bed,
19 if he rises again and walks about outside with his staff, then he who struck him shall be acquitted. He shall only pay for the loss of his time, and shall provide for him to be thoroughly healed.
20 “And if a man beats his male or female servant with a rod, so that he dies under his hand, he shall surely be punished.
21 Notwithstanding, if he remains alive a day or two, he shall not be punished; for he is his property.
22 “If men fight, and hurt a woman with child, so that she gives birth prematurely, yet no harm follows, he shall surely be punished accordingly as the woman’s husband imposes on him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. 23 But if any harm follows, then you shall give life for life,
24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
25 burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.
26 “If a man strikes the eye of his male or female servant, and destroys it, he shall let him go free for the sake of his eye.
27 And if he knocks out the tooth of his male or female servant, he shall let him go free for the sake of his tooth.

Exodus 21:18-27

1. The Original Law was given to help the judges hold justice

2. Some problems can be quite complex

3. What is the point of these laws?

a) To defend those who are hurt/ oppressed
b) The literal idea was never intended
c) Appropriate compensation for harm sustained is the main thing

THE TEACHING OF THE LORD JESUS

39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.
41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

Matthew 5:39-42

1. When dealing with an evil person

a) Don’t use evil to retaliate
b) Don’t resist

2. What evil people can do:

a) Physical force (a slap)
b) Using the law courts to sue a person for a tunic
c) Compelling a person to walk a mile
d) They make demands

3. The Lord’s Word

a) Give the Tunic
And the Cloak
b) Go the second mile
c) Give what is asked for
d) Don’t turn away an opportunity to do good

CONCLUSION

1. Is it possible to practise what the Lord Jesus taught?
Yes!

2. What it takes to be able to fulfil what is demanded?

a) A strong faith
b) A deep heart of wisdom and love