April 9 -- "Eye For Eye"

  Today's Reading: Exodus 21

"Eye For Eye"

These verses are a part of the Old Testament law code given to the Israelites by God through Moses. This particular section of the law deals with the principles of retribution and restitution for wrongs committed.

Verse 23 specifies that if harm is done to a person, then the offender is to be punished accordingly. The punishment must fit the crime, and in some cases, it may be a matter of "life for life" – in other words, the offender may face the death penalty.

This law was intended to ensure that justice was done in cases of wrongdoing, and that the punishment was proportional to the offense. It was also designed to deter people from committing crimes, knowing that they would face serious consequences if they did.

Jesus addressed the principle of "an eye for an eye" in his teachings, specifically in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:38-39. In this passage, Jesus says: "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also."

In His teaching on this, Jesus is not negating the Old Testament law, but rather he is correcting a misinterpretation of it. Jesus is teaching that the principle of "an eye for an eye" should not be used as an excuse for personal revenge or retaliation. Rather, he is encouraging his followers to respond to evil with love and forgiveness, rather than seeking retribution.

Similarly, the Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of forgiveness in his letters to the early Christian communities in Ephesians 4:32, he instructs his readers to "be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." As followers of Christ, our quest should be reconciliation rather than retribution.