You Have Heard It Said

The Aurora tragedy was a horrible display of darkness and senseless violence. Like other horrific mass violence events in my lifetime like the Columbine, Virginia Tech, and Fort Hood always cause shock, uproar of gun sales, of opinions and stances. Violence is common. Injustice, hurt and pain are all facts of life, and usually are at the expense of someone else. Society often creates laws and rules for retribution and justice to be served.

One of the purposes of the Jewish Old Testament law was to maintain order. As in all societies, a law governs the people. They keep things fair, even and just. The Jewish law said that if someone hurts you, then it is your right to return the favor. Completely justified, completely right.

The same is true of most of society today. If someone defames you, sue him or her for damages. If someone steals from you, retribution is to be paid in full. If someone murders a loved one, they must die. Our society is one of retaliation and the pursuit of justice.

The time of Jewish history into which Jesus lived was characterized by violence, not just violence from the oppressive Empire of Rome, but also by the Jews. There were groups who violently wanted to overthrow Rome; in fact there were members of Jesus’ inner circle that belonged to groups like this (that’s what “Zealot” means behind Simon Peter’s name, he was zealous about the overthrow of Rome). Before and after Jesus there were would be revolutionary leaders all set to lead Israel to its former glory in a blood bath against Rome.

But then Jesus shows up, the same expectations thrust upon his shoulders as the other rebels before and after him. Overthrow Caesar. Return Yahweh and the Jewish people back to their rightful throne over the pagans. Defeat the violent oppression. But like other times in Jesus’ life, he doesn’t behave the way he “ought” to. Instead on a mountainside Jesus begins to teach about a new way of doing things. He talks about things like turning the other cheek. Instead of repaying the hurt and the loss that comes from an enemy, love them, pray for them, weep for them. Those who bring peace and who are defined by meekness will be blessed. A non-violent proclamation that the “you have heard it said” and “you have seen it done” was not the end. There is a better way, a way that can break the cycle. A way that refuses to respond to violence with violence, but instead to peacefully replaces the anger and retaliation with love.

And this simple and powerful teaching reached its culmination as he was betrayed, and killed ruthlessly, violently, and wrongly. He peacefully and quietly refused to respond, and to retaliate. But this way of living and acting didn’t lose fervor as he returned to the Father.  His followers continued this way of living and responding long after Jesus had left. As Rome tried to beat the peaceful movement down for their unwavering loyalty to there Lord and therefore not to Caesar, these followers of Jesus were tortured and slaughtered. But the violence would not be repaid, but replaced with songs, with charity, and with a commitment to peace.

The violence has not stopped. And it may never stop. We live in a world where brutal lawsuits, wars, school shootings, senseless killings, unfair death and destruction, theft and injustice are the norm. But the teaching of our Lord remains the same. Preserve and defend human life at all costs, but love our enemies, wail and try to counter the evil with good, and preserve peace at all costs through a posture of non-retaliation. Let us practice peace with our Facebook posts, our Tweets, our language, our voting, and most importantly with our actions.