The Truth About a Tooth for a Tooth

Have you ever wanted to get even with someone?

I have - although I am not admitting that a couple of folks may still be on the list! ;) 

You’ve heard the famous line, “To err is human, to forgive divine,” from Alexander Pope's 1711 poem An Essay on Criticism. 

This might be more accurate: “To get even is human, to forgive divine.”

Back in the day an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth meant, “You can get even!” But it was a limiting law. It was a law to prevent revenge going from even to the maximum. “If you’re going after someone, you are limited to the same level of loss.”

Then along comes the awakened rabbi with his, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person.”

“Do not resist” in the original language implied not strongly opposing. In other words, don’t get even, show how love responds to unjust situations. 

Then Jesus goes on to share 3 examples of how this is to be done…

• Turning the other cheek.

• Handing over the last stitch of clothing.

• Carrying the load of an oppressor an extra mile. 

Each of those elements were ways to stand up to injustice without geting run over.. 

We even things out by not retaliating.

We even things out by exposing the poor treatment without anger or even expectation. 

Integration:

• Who is someone in my life I need to even things out with through love and forgiveness even though I feel hurt by them?

• Who is someone in my life that I have hurt and need to even things out with an apology?

Christ Core Consciousness Teaching:

The newest episodes explore six “know the path & walk the path” concepts that Jesus taught. 

03: The Awakened Rabbi (part 1)

04: The Awakened Rabbi (part 2)

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Blessings!

Paul

P.S. Here’s a short “southern” video. :)

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