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#Post#: 2438--------------------------------------------------
Re: An Eye for an Eye
By: Dave Date: October 13, 2025, 6:20 pm
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I came across this today, on going the extra mile.
In the time of Jesus the land of Israel was under the domination
of The Roman Empire, evidence of this foreign occupation was
everywhere, causing much anger and resentment among the Jews who
were nonetheless powerless to act against it. One of the most
hated conditions of Roman occupation was that as Roman soldiers,
as they marched across the land, could legally force any Jewish
male to carry the soldiers pack for a distance of one mile. Jews
understandably found the forced labour to be humiliating, but
they were unable to refuse or resist.
Their own law was powerless in the face of a greater Roman
might.
Jesus responds to the situation by emphasizing the power of non
resistance. Instead of begrudging the Roman soldier the mile of
service that he demanded, go the second mile, The first mile may
be forced, but the second will be a freely given gift. Now the
energy of the situation has completely shifted.
The soldier, who had been dominant thanks to the power of Rome,
is now the recipient of a gift, thanks to the power of love.
And the downtrodden victim has become a gracious gift giver, and
an expression of the love that is God.
When we surrender our own attempts to struggle and resist, and
instead focus on allowing the Lord to express through us, the
stress and strain of life are instantly eased.
Instead of wasting time and energy on resentment and anger, we
gain the infinite strength and serenity of God.
Nothing is more damaging to our walk and well being than
allowing stress and anger to block us from feeling the power and
joy of Gods love.
Blessing!!!
#Post#: 2439--------------------------------------------------
Re: An Eye for an Eye
By: KerryD Date: October 13, 2025, 10:18 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=Dave link=topic=80.msg2438#msg2438
date=1760397621]
I came across this today, on going the extra mile.
In the time of Jesus the land of Israel was under the domination
of The Roman Empire, evidence of this foreign occupation was
everywhere, causing much anger and resentment among the Jews who
were nonetheless powerless to act against it. One of the most
hated conditions of Roman occupation was that as Roman soldiers,
as they marched across the land, could legally force any Jewish
male to carry the soldiers pack for a distance of one mile. Jews
understandably found the forced labour to be humiliating, but
they were unable to refuse or resist.
Their own law was powerless in the face of a greater Roman
might.
Jesus responds to the situation by emphasizing the power of non
resistance. Instead of begrudging the Roman soldier the mile of
service that he demanded, go the second mile, The first mile may
be forced, but the second will be a freely given gift. Now the
energy of the situation has completely shifted.
The soldier, who had been dominant thanks to the power of Rome,
is now the recipient of a gift, thanks to the power of love.
And the downtrodden victim has become a gracious gift giver, and
an expression of the love that is God.
When we surrender our own attempts to struggle and resist, and
instead focus on allowing the Lord to express through us, the
stress and strain of life are instantly eased.
Instead of wasting time and energy on resentment and anger, we
gain the infinite strength and serenity of God.
Nothing is more damaging to our walk and well being than
allowing stress and anger to block us from feeling the power and
joy of Gods love.
Blessing!!!
[/quote]It's always good to get the context of scriptures, so
thanks for providing it.
Now I'm wondering if Jesus' words made it easier for Romans to
get along with Christians? Did that make it easier to convert
them to Christianity?
#Post#: 2441--------------------------------------------------
Re: An Eye for an Eye
By: Rita Date: October 14, 2025, 1:21 am
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=KerryD link=topic=80.msg2439#msg2439
date=1760411884]
It's always good to get the context of scriptures, so thanks for
providing it.
Now I'm wondering if Jesus' words made it easier for Romans to
get along with Christians? Did that make it easier to convert
them to Christianity?
[/quote]
I guess that would depend on whether people followed what he
said, I am sure pride would have been a bit of a battle with
this new way of doing things. It would be interesting to know if
it impacted in a positive way, or whether the Roman soldiers
would have used it to their advantage ( whether they would
interpret the act as it was intended )
#Post#: 2442--------------------------------------------------
Re: An Eye for an Eye
By: Helen Date: October 14, 2025, 9:29 am
---------------------------------------------------------
I wish we still owned the ancient old out of print book “Light
through an Eastern Window”
Once here in Canada I ordered (a) Light through an Eastern
Window , but it was a modern book , not a reprint of the old one
which our old pastor gave us.
The first (real) book was written by an old missionary scholar
who lived there. Not only did he give the meaning of all the
‘sayings’ from the Bible, he also gave us the interpretation of
parables and so much more…but it was a very big clunky book,
that had to be given away when we emigrated! We just could bring
everything in our two suitcases each. :'( That book had this
short of insight in it.
#Post#: 2445--------------------------------------------------
Re: An Eye for an Eye
By: KerryD Date: October 14, 2025, 2:11 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=Rita link=topic=80.msg2441#msg2441
date=1760422898]
I guess that would depend on whether people followed what he
said, I am sure pride would have been a bit of a battle with
this new way of doing things. It would be interesting to know if
it impacted in a positive way, or whether the Roman soldiers
would have used it to their advantage ( whether they would
interpret the act as it was intended )
[/quote]
My guess is there were two kinds of both Christians and Romans.
People who view kindness as a weakness could be encouraged in
this idea by being too kind to them. I have a similar rule
about forgiving others. I can forgive someone easily for the
first offense. I can also forgive them if they offend again but
in a different way. But if they keep repeating the same offense
convinced they can fix it easily again by saying, "I'm sorry," I
frankly don't believe it. They aren't really sorry at all.
When we are genuinely sorry for something and realize it was a
mistake, we don't do it. I've shocked a few people by being
"tough" with them when they repeated something they had said
they were sorry for. Some people can learn the easy way while
others can learn only the hard way.
Some people interpret Matthew differently, I know.
Matthew 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft
shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven
times?
22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times:
but, Until seventy times seven.
Notice it doesn't say whether the brother is repeating the
offense. I don't think so, and I get a clue from the number 490
which is the number of perfection in Hebrew. There are many
ways we humans can err, so there are many things that can be
fixed if someone repents genuinely and asks for forgiveness. If
a brother "sins" against me and says he's sorry, I figure the
Holy Spirit is at work bringing him closer to the perfection of
490. Better for him to sin against me then since if he is truly
sorry, the matter is over with. I won't mention it again if he
doesn't repeat it. I even try to forget it since it's not
"real" anymore. If he sinned against someone who wanted
revenge, the problems could keep piling up.
#Post#: 2448--------------------------------------------------
Re: An Eye for an Eye
By: Dave Date: October 14, 2025, 10:34 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
I believe that in every unregenerated heart there is an essence
of God, but the Roman response to kindness wasn’t the issue, it
really was the test of the one who was prepared to go further.
Self reflections or examine yourself involves motivations and
decisions, are they primarily driven by our comfort and gain or
by a desire to honour God and serve Him.
As an ‘old’ soldier when in a hostile environment, one always
viewed kindness with suspicion.
Would these have behaved any different.
These chapters of the sermon on the mount, have always been more
than a puzzle to me, after the introduction of the blessed.
Jesus says, “ Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or
the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For
verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or
one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be
fulfilled “ Why would they think he was destroying the law ???
So why mention it !!!
The great question is, did this happen at the death and
resurrection of Christ Jesus, if it did a heaven and earth
passed away and with it the law of sin and death.
Chapter 7 ends with when Jesus had ended these sayings, the
people were astonished at his doctrine, maybe like me it left
them a little puzzled😇😇😇.
#Post#: 2451--------------------------------------------------
Re: An Eye for an Eye
By: KerryD Date: October 15, 2025, 11:12 am
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=Dave link=topic=80.msg2448#msg2448
date=1760499248]
I believe that in every unregenerated heart there is an essence
of God, but the Roman response to kindness wasn’t the issue, it
really was the test of the one who was prepared to go further.
Self reflections or examine yourself involves motivations and
decisions, are they primarily driven by our comfort and gain or
by a desire to honour God and serve Him.
As an ‘old’ soldier when in a hostile environment, one always
viewed kindness with suspicion.
Would these have behaved any different.[/quote]
Suspicion is probably going to the first reaction from a soldier
who may be expecting a trap or con game; but think about the two
soldiers at the Crucifixion.
[quote]These chapters of the sermon on the mount, have always
been more than a puzzle to me, after the introduction of the
blessed.
Jesus says, “ Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or
the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For
verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or
one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be
fulfilled “ Why would they think he was destroying the law ???
So why mention it !!!
The great question is, did this happen at the death and
resurrection of Christ Jesus, if it did a heaven and earth
passed away and with it the law of sin and death.
Chapter 7 ends with when Jesus had ended these sayings, the
people were astonished at his doctrine, maybe like me it left
them a little puzzled😇😇😇.
[/quote]
I believe the Law is perfect as David wrote. I do not believe
the people who say it's been done away with -- I mean the
Spiritual Law, not the written words. The Perfect Law of God
remains in place.
Psalm 19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul:
the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
Clearly, written words on the pages of our Bible can't convert
our souls. As well, people need that "essence of God" while
reading many passages to get the correct take. If we can't see
love in one of the laws of Moses, I'd say we still don't have
the truth about it. Jesus said it was all about love.
Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy
God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy
mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour
as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Anyone who teaches some of the laws given by Moses were hateful
must not believe what Jesus said. I admit I struggle trying to
find the love in some of them; but I'd rather say I'm ignorant
than accuse Moses of hate.
We also must understand that those laws were generalizations.
Sometimes it might be the right thing to steal something. If it
would save a life, stealing would surely be the right thing. So
we must follow the Spirit of the Law and not the letter. I had
a roommate once who came into my bedroom when I wasn't home and
stole money; his life wasn't in danger, but he was in trouble
and needed the money immediately. When he saw me later, he told
me about it and said when he'd pay me back. I wasn't disturbed
by it. I thought it was the right thing for him to do. We
trusted each other enough that it was okay.
Paul said that Gentiles who "do" the right thing didn't need the
written law. I think he was right.
#Post#: 2452--------------------------------------------------
Re: An Eye for an Eye
By: KerryD Date: October 15, 2025, 11:13 am
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=Helen link=topic=80.msg2442#msg2442
date=1760452165]
I wish we still owned the ancient old out of print book “Light
through an Eastern Window”
Once here in Canada I ordered (a) Light through an Eastern
Window , but it was a modern book , not a reprint of the old one
which our old pastor gave us.
The first (real) book was written by an old missionary scholar
who lived there. Not only did he give the meaning of all the
‘sayings’ from the Bible, he also gave us the interpretation of
parables and so much more…but it was a very big clunky book,
that had to be given away when we emigrated! We just could bring
everything in our two suitcases each. :'( That book had this
short of insight in it.
[/quote]I looked for this online but found only references to
the modern book. . . .
#Post#: 2456--------------------------------------------------
Re: An Eye for an Eye
By: Amadeus Date: October 15, 2025, 12:30 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=Dave link=topic=80.msg2398#msg2398
date=1760212860]
If the mountain seems to big today then climb a hill instead,
If the morning brings you sadness, it’s OK to stay in bed.
If the day ahead weighs heavy and your plans feel like a curse,
there’s no shame in rearranging and don’t make yourself feel
worse.
If a shower stings like needles and a bath feels like you’ll
drown, if you haven’t washed your hair for days don’t throw away
your crown.
A day is not a lifetime,
A rest is not defeat.
Don’t think of it as failure just a quiet kind of retreat.
It’s O K to take a moment from an anxious fractured mind, the
world will not stop turning while you get realigned.
The mountain will still be there when you want to try again, you
can climb in your own time, just love yourself ‘till then.
Thanks to whoever wrote it, it hit the spot one morning for me.
[/quote]
I just read this Dave and it hit the spot with me as well.
#Post#: 2465--------------------------------------------------
Re: An Eye for an Eye
By: Dave Date: October 15, 2025, 8:14 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Amadeus so nice to hear from you, is all well in your neck of
the woods?? a none to clever ploy for a reply LoL.
I was listening to a Eric Clapton singing "Over the Rainbow" a
few days ago, I would put it up but my temperamental old
computer, which seems to have a mind of it's own and adds stuff,
hence my mental temper moments.
But I realised that I had never really listened to the words;
It starts with;
When all the world is a helpless jumble
And the raindrops tumble all around,
Heaven opens a magic lane.
When all the clouds darken up the skyway
There's a rainbow highway to be found,
Leading from your window pane
To a place behind the sun,
just a step beyond the rain.
Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high,
There's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue,
And dreams that you dare to dream really do come
true.
I think the song writers had a lot more truth than a lot of
todays preachers,
Maybe I'm catching Mike up in sentimental moments BUT, as my
daughter would remind me, God moments can happen anywhere.
Kerry thanks for your thoughts. I'll have to catch up tomorrow.
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