Forgiveness and revenge (Matt 6:14-15, 5:38-42) - JSS2 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note

The Law of Moses stated, “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth”, which means when someone misplaces your property, he MUST get you another or be made sure to lose the same thing at the same value. Those who are interested in stealing are made to pay for the exact material missed. This was the law given through Moses but Christ came and abolished this law i.e. He officially end this Law.

Our Saviour a loving and caring Father felt and saw the need for peaceful coexistence between human and their neighbour and so decided to eliminate this long live law. Christ’s Law teaches perseverance, brotherly love and peace with men when offended or victimized not retaliate nor strike back.

One of the teachings of Jesus on the demands of God’s rule in our hearts is that we should behave as forgiving people. We should forgive at all times. Any time someone offends us and says he or she is ‘sorry’ we should forgive him or her. If we refuse to forgive others, then God will also not forgive us when we offend Him, something which we do everyday. Therefore Jesus said:

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Jesus taught that God’s rule in our hearts requires that we should not revenge or retaliate against someone who offends us. Therefore, instead of the Old Law which called for retaliation: “An eye for an eye”, Jesus called for non-violence.

“Do not resist one who is evil. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”

Therefore, as Christians we should never retaliate no matter how we are provoked.