Manny Pereira - August 19, 2018
Addressing Retaliation
In a manner not unlike His four addresses leading to this point, our Lord contrasts the then popular interpretation and use of Old Covenant law to His own command for true righteousness. In this contrast, consisting of some of the most well-known words in His sermon, our Lord addresses the human heart on the principle of retaliation or the exacting of personal justice. He provides four distinct and naturally impossible applications to illustrate His supernatural principle. The grand prerequisite of His commands here is the substance of a transformed heart that lives to make much of Him who fulfilled the demands of God's righteousness on their behalf. Trusting and treasuring Christ above all personal injury and loss for His sake and for a superior joy in His kingdom is the key that unlocks this precept.
Scripture References: Matthew 5:38-42
