The Point The Passage The Bible Meets Life The Setting

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The Point Practice grace and integrity when others make demands of you.

The Passage Matthew 5:33-42

The Bible Meets Life Isaac Newton gave us this scientific principle: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. That law works for science, but it is only partially true with people. Everything said or done to us will cause us to react, but how we react is totally in our hands. Jesus calls us to a standard that is consistent, honest, and grace-filled regardless of what is said or done.

The Setting Jesus did not quote or directly reference one of the Ten Commandments in the passage for this session, but He did address the essence of the Ninth Commandment, “Do not give false testimony against your neighbor.” While the Commandment specifically focuses on one’s legal or moral witness in regard to another, its heart is the need for God’s people to display integrity with their words. Jesus raised the need for integrity in one’s words (vv. 33-37) and in one’s approach to others (vv. 38-42).

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What does the Bible say?

His footstool (v. 35)— God has no need of a place to rest His feet. Thus, the term used here symbolizes the earth’s complete submission to God. Swear by your head (v. 36)—This phrase was used to guarantee the truthfulness of a statement. A person might swear or take an oath by invoking God or some substitute for God, here, “your head.”

Matthew 5:33-42 (HCSB) 33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to our ancestors, You must not break your oath,

but you must keep your oaths to the Lord. 34 But I tell you, don’t take an oath at all: either by heaven, because it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, because it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the

great King. 36 Neither should you swear by your head, because you cannot make a single hair white

or black. 37 But let your word ‘yes’ be ‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ be ‘no.’ Anything more than this is from the

evil one. 38 “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. 39 But I tell you, don’t resist an evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you on your right

cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 As for the one who wants to sue you and take away your shirt, let him have your coat

as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and don’t turn away from the one who wants to borrow

from you.”

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THE POINT

Practice grace and integrity when others make demands of you.

GET INTO THE STUDY

10 minutes

DISCUSS: Invite your group members

Notes

to turn their attention to the image on page 109 of the Personal Study Guide (PSG). Ask: “When have you felt like you were organized and on top of things?” RECAP THE PSG (PAGE 110): Some of us live according to “to-do” lists. Time management experts tell us these are a great way to keep track of and prioritize the things we need to accomplish. The

TIP: Let your tone and attitude create an environment where everyone feels free to add discussion. Stress that everyone’s questions and ideas are worth hearing.

blessing of such a “to-do” list is that you have a target to shoot for. The curse of a “to-do” list is that it can remind you of what you didn’t get accomplished or what remains to be finished. Unfinished “to-do” lists happen a lot. That’s not because the tasks weren’t important. It’s because things pop up every day you simply didn’t anticipate. Interruptions. We’ve heard the self-help gurus tell us to take the bull by the horns. Seize the day. That’s all well and good; after all, we should take a proactive stance in life. That approach works great—until life steps in with another interruption. SAY: “We can’t stop the interruptions or demands other people make, but how we react to them is totally in our hands. Jesus is concerned about our reactions. The ways we react in these situations will—or won’t—show us to be distinctly Christian. Jesus calls us to a standard that is consistent, honest, and grace-filled.” GUIDE: Call the group’s attention to The Point on page 110 of the PSG: “Practice grace and integrity when others make demands of you.” PRAY: Transition into the Bible study by pausing to pray for your group members. Pray specifically for the awareness and willingness to display godly grace and integrity in their conversations and relationships. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE © 2015 LifeWay

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10 minutes

STUDY THE BIBLE Matthew 5:33-37

Notes

33

“Again, you have heard that it was said to our ancestors, You must not

break your oath, but you must keep your oaths to the Lord. 34 But I tell you, don’t take an oath at all: either by heaven, because it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, because it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. 36 Neither should you swear by your head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black. 37 But let your word ‘yes’ be ‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ be ‘no.’ Anything more than this is from the evil one.” READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Matthew 5:33-37. ALTERNATE QUESTION: Why are we often quick to make promises we’re not certain we can keep?

DISCUSS: Question 2 on page 112 of the PSG: “What motivates us to say, ‘I promise’?” SUMMARIZE: Jesus pushes us to examine our integrity through the lens of our words and the promises we make. The Old Testament law repeatedly commanded the people to keep their word and be absolutely truthful (Leviticus 19:12; Numbers 30:2; Deuteronomy 23:21-23). But by the time of Jesus, people were making distinctions in their promises and oaths; some were super-serious, and others were not-so-serious. Two things are worth remembering: 1. Be careful what you commit to. Many of us have the tendency to overcommit ourselves, lining our calendars with commitment after commitment. We may have the best of intentions, but at some point, we have to develop the discipline of saying “no.” 2. Keep your word when you give it. God honors the person “who keeps his word whatever the cost” (Psalm 15:4). The one who keeps his promises pleases God. Integrity demands that you follow through. TRANSITION: In the next verses, we’ll see that Jesus’ teaching in this passage targets our behavior as well as our words.

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THE POINT

Practice grace and integrity when others make demands of you.

Matthew 5:33-37 Commentary Display integrity with your words. Verse 33: Jesus transitioned from adultery and divorce to truth telling and the proper reaction to attempts to humiliate or take advantage of believers. Jesus began with the traditional teaching based primarily in Leviticus 19:12, which forbade swearing falsely by God’s name, and Numbers 30:2, which warned against breaking a vow or oath made to God. The Old Testament did not forbid swearing an oath or making a vow to God. The problem was swearing falsely or not following through on the promise, which represented a misuse of God’s name. Verses 34-36: Jesus’ interpretation of those Old Testament texts reveals concern about (1) honoring God’s holy name and (2) integrity of speech. Jesus prohibited swearing of any kind as an attempt at manipulation. To swear an oath to God could be an attempt to manipulate God to act in a certain way (see Judges 11:30-31). While the Old Testament did not prohibit such vows (Deuteronomy 23:21-22), Jesus did. Also, swearing by God’s name or oath-taking could be an attempt to manipulate others to believe or trust our words. In Jewish circles, however, belief in the sanctity of the divine name meant that it should not be uttered at all. To use God’s name in vows or in swearing of oaths could be interpreted as taking God’s name in vain. Thus, a first-century Jew might employ a substitute for God or His name as a basis for an oath, such as swearing by heaven, earth, or Jerusalem. Each of these can be identified with God by virtue of the fact He created them and rules over them. The statement that “because you cannot make a single hair white or black” served as proof that even one’s head and hair are created and controlled by God. Once again, Jesus raised the Old Testament bar. While the Law focused on not swearing falsely, Jesus raised it to not swearing at all. The greater righteousness of the kingdom demands a more radical obedience. Verse 37: Jesus revealed the crux of the issue: “But let your word ‘yes’ be ‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ be ‘no.’ Anything more than this is from the evil one.” With the use of the imperative “let” and the repetition “yes, yes” or “no, no,” Jesus emphatically commanded His followers to be truthful. When we say “yes,” we should really mean, “yes.” That swearing and oaths even exist provides evidence that lies occur. If lies did not exist, there would be no need for oaths. Jesus’ forbidding of oaths reveals His intention to destroy lying altogether. The real issue is integrity of life and speech. If a person lacks character and integrity, others will be skeptical of the person’s speech. Such a person might be tempted to try to guarantee the truthfulness of their words. Most believers would cringe at the thought of swearing by God or by God’s name, but they might use a substitute, like “I swear on my mother’s grave,” or “on my life.” Our integrity should make such a vow unneeded.

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10 minutes

STUDY THE BIBLE Matthew 5:38-39

Notes 38

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

39

But I tell you, don’t resist an evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you

on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.“ READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Matthew 5:38-39. SUMMARIZE: The Old Testament records this “eye for an eye” law not once or twice, but three times (Exodus 21:23-24; Leviticus 24:19-20; Deuteronomy 19:21). But God intended to limit vengeance, not give license to it. The law was meant to make sure that conflict didn’t escalate but was kept within boundaries. Jesus reordered our thinking and told us we are not to retaliate when we are humiliated or insulted. ALTERNATE QUESTION: When have you admired someone who chose to turn the other cheek?

DISCUSS: Question 3 on page 113 of the PSG: “What are some practical ways to turn the other cheek in today’s culture?” SAY: “When we follow Jesus in this manner, we deny our perceived rights, our sense of entitlement, and our pride.” DISCUSS: Question 4 on page 114 of the PSG: “What keeps us from taking these commands more seriously? TRANSITION: Jesus calls us to deny ourselves if we want to follow HIm. In the next verses, He calls us to a deeper faith if we’re to demonstrate this kind of grace.

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THE POINT

Practice grace and integrity when others make demands of you.

Matthew 5:38-39 Commentary Just let it go when you are humiliated or insulted. Verses 38-39: Jesus moved to another piece of traditional Old Testament instruction from Exodus 21:24 (see also Leviticus 24:20 and Deuteronomy 19:21): “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” This law provided a measure of balance in retaliation for an injury, insult, or slight. It did not require retaliation; it limited it. It did not eradicate retaliation; it did moderate it. Jesus, however, moved radically in the direction of mercy. Jesus instructed, “don’t resist an evildoer.” On the surface it would appear Jesus intended His followers to take a passive posture toward those who might seek to injure or humiliate them. A closer examination of Jesus’ words indicates other more likely interpretations. First of all, there is the matter of translation. The word translated “evildoer” could also simply mean “evil,” and is translated that way the vast majority of the times it appears in the New Testament. If taken this way it would forbid resisting injustice or systemic evil in society but it would allow a person to defend oneself against personal attack. One other possibility would be to translate it “don’t resist by evil means.” This possibility reminds us that there are at least three possible responses to evil or an evil person. One response is flight. That is, we can respond passively with no resistance. Another response is to fight. That is, we can respond in the same manner we are attacked—an eye for an eye. If, however, we translate the phrase “don’t resist by evil means,” we have a third option. We can resist evil, but not by evil means, not in the same manner we are attacked. This third way seems to reflect the example of Jesus. Jesus faced all manner of evil during His ministry. His response was not simply a failure to resist. When He was beaten, falsely accused, and crucified, Jesus’ response was a deliberate and intentional acceptance in order to utterly and eternally defeat evil and the evildoer. His was the ultimate act of nonviolent resistance. Paul seems to reflect the same teaching when he stated: “Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good” (Romans 12:21). Jesus’ example involves someone striking another on the right cheek. It is of the utmost importance Jesus specified the right cheek. In the ancient Mediterranean culture, the left hand was never used for public actions; it was used for matters of personal hygiene. A slap would thus be delivered only with the right hand. In order to slap the right cheek with the right hand, the evildoer would be required to slap with the back of the hand, a serious insult in the ancient world. The slap was not about violence as much as it was about humiliation and shame. Jesus’ instruction to “turn the other to him also” would not be the “flight” or passive action of not resisting evil at all. On the contrary, to turn the left cheek to the evildoer would be a way to demonstrate that the insult was rejected. If he wanted to hit the person again, he would have to hit with the open hand, the way one would slap an equal. This non-violent response refuses to be victim to humiliation and issues a level of resistance, but without resorting to the evil way of the oppressor. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE © 2015 LifeWay

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10 minutes

STUDY THE BIBLE Matthew 5:40-42

Notes

40

“As for the one who wants to sue you and take away your shirt, let him have

your coat as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42

Give to the one who asks you, and don’t turn away from the one who wants

to borrow from you.” READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Matthew 5:40-42. RECAP THE PSG (PAGE 115): As if it weren’t enough to say we should not seek revenge when someone does us wrong, Jesus went the extra mile in His teaching. He said we should do the same thing—go above and beyond. ALTERNATE QUESTION: How do we prepare ourselves now to respond well when others make demands of us?

DISCUSS: Question 5 on page 116 of the PSG: “What role does faith play in going the extra mile?” SUMMARIZE: To go the extra mile takes faith. We can trust God with our efforts. 1. Believe God will provide. Going the extra mile is costly. It could be a coat; it could be some money; it could be our time. We must believe in a God who will provide the coat, the money, or the time that we’ve given up. 2. Believe God will rectify. We can freely go the extra mile without the expectation of payback. Trust in God who knows what we’ve done. And He never forgets. 3. Believe God will redeem. What if we go the extra mile and nothing happens? What if the person doesn’t recognize our gift or what it cost us? We might be tempted to become bitter and resentful, or to wish we never made the effort in the first place. But God redeems. Trust God in His wisdom to redeem our efforts for His good purposes. DO: Divide your members into groups of three or four people each. Within each small group, direct members to complete the activity on page 114 of the PSG. React with Grace: When others make demands of you, how will you respond? (Example: Rely on God to provide for my needs.)

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THE POINT

Practice grace and integrity when others make demands of you.

Matthew 5:40-42 Commentary Go the extra mile for others, even those who want to take advantage of you. Verse 40: The next illustration Jesus used involves someone taking a Christian to court in order to take the person’s shirt, often translated “tunic,” the most basic garment for a person in the ancient world. Jesus’ scenario involved a person of extreme poverty with no other possessions left to take beyond the most basic garments and a rotten human being who would sue in order to take the shirt right off the person’s back. Jesus’ instruction to “let him have your coat” means to give the scoundrel your heavier outer garment as well. This stresses the radical kingdom perspective that Jesus’ followers are not to look for limitations to their moral, ethical, and legal obligations but to fulfill them in their highest spirit and intent. Verse 41: For a third illustration, Jesus employed the image of a Roman soldier forcing a dominated person to carry his 60-70-pound military pack. The shame of being forced to carry the instruments of the enemy’s tyranny would be disgusting. Despite the indignity of carrying the pack one mile, rather than urging refusal or even revolt, Jesus commanded His followers to carry it two miles. To carry such a load for a friend would be noteworthy. To carry it for an enemy would be shocking, perhaps most of all to the soldier. By choosing submission, the disciple could transform a practice designed to demean into a demonstration of what it means to love your enemy. Verse 42: Finally, Jesus employed a beggar asking for a gift or a neighbor asking for a loan. Jesus instructed believers to give to those in need. While the prevalence of people in need provides us with frequent opportunities to obey Jesus’ teaching, it is easy to present arguments against such giving. We might insist on the impracticality of it, raise concerns about the person’s motives, or question whether such generosity might encourage laziness while discouraging individual responsibility. Over the last 40 years, as American Christians have grown progressively more affluent, giving to the ministries of the local church and other charitable organizations has grown smaller and smaller by percentage. Such behavior contradicts what Jesus, and the rest of Scripture teaches about God, the poor, and giving. We must guard against taming the radical nature of Jesus’ teaching. Whatever we do, we must find ways to live out Jesus’ teaching authentically. In a fallen world, we are surrounded by a culture of lying, intimidation, bullying, and great need. The question for Jesus’ followers is how will we react when we encounter such situations.

Read the article “Tunics and Cloaks: First-Century Clothing” in the Winter 2015-2016 issue of Biblical Illustrator. Previous Biblical Illustrator articles ““You Have Heard It Said” Jewish Laws Behind Jesus’ Teachings” (Fall 2007), “Laws Behind Jesus’ Teaching” (Winter 1996), “The Practice of Making Oaths” (Winter 1996), and “The Roman Mile” (Summer 1984) relate to this lesson and can be purchased, along with other articles for this quarter, at www.lifeway.com/ biblicalillustrator. Look for Bundles: Bible Studies for Life. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE © 2015 LifeWay

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5 minutes

LIVE IT OUT SAY: “Will you practice grace and integrity when others make demands of you? Or will you hold tightly to your rights and privileges? Here are some ways to be

Notes

distinct in your reactions this week:” GUIDE: Lead your group members to consider the responses to the Bible study listed on page 116 of the PSG. ]]

Keep your word. What is one commitment you’ve made that you wish you hadn’t? Recommit yourself to keeping your word even though it’s going to hurt.

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Pray. Is one relationship particularly difficult for you right now? Pray and ask God to bless that person this week. Write a note and let the person know you’ve been praying for him or her.

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Go the extra mile. Think back over the past month. Have you missed any opportunities to do good for someone, an occasion when you chose to do the minimum? Go back and do something extra for that person this week.

Wrap It Up SAY: “Life is about reactions. This week, things will happen that you will have absolutely no control over. You’ll be caught off-guard this week; when that happens, respond with grace and integrity.”

Grow with other group leaders at the Groups Ministry blog (lifeway.com/groupministry).

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