God has always known all things about you. Before you were born He already knew the worst about you, and nothing that happens now can surprise or disillusion Him.
"O Lord, you have searched me and you know me." Psalm 139:1
When I was a kid I loved to play dodgeball at school. But, as with every game, we had rules. No hitting in the face. No crossing lines and no hoarding the balls. If you purposefully hit someone in the face, then they were given a "free shot." Which meant you stood 20 feet away from each other without moving and the player you hit threw a ball at you. It was the kid's version of an "eye for an eye." If you did something wrong, then someone got a free shot at vengeance.
And, I have to humbly tell you, that I was pretty much a Junior High dodgeball star. (OK. Maybe not so humbly.) One of my friends named Morgan was also a star. We had an understood rule that Morgan and I couldn't be on the same team. So usually we were the captains who picked the teams.
Once, late in the semester we were going to have our championship of championships dodgeball match. Our Coach (it was football off season) called in some of the other coaches to referee. Morgan and I picked our teams and, as it often did, it came down to just the two of us. We threw a couple of test balls at each other and then Morgan decided to rush me. We both threw our balls at the same time. Mine landed smack dab on his nose and blood went flying everywhere. His knocked me on the side of my head and the whole side of my face was a cherry red. (Dodgeball can be vicious.)
It was a tie. But we had both hit each other in the head. So, we each had a free shot. The coach gave us each a ball and made us step off ten steps and turn around. The coach blew the whistle and I sent my ball hurtling as fast as I could. Morgan, however, just dropped his and as my ball came in, he caught it.
I lost.
Sometimes, an eye for an eye isn't successful if you throw the first stone.
During the time of Jesus, an eye for an eye was a common practice. If someone did something to hurt you, then you were guaranteed by law to get a free shot. When God handed out the rules to ancient Israel, the problem was that vengeance was rampant. The slightest of hurts could bring about a vendetta that ended in murder. So, to stop people from escalating revenge, God set limits. An eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth. But, as usual, we completely misunderstood God's rules. We thought that by placing a limit on things, God was giving us free shots at those who hurt us. God didn't give us the rule because God wanted to. But because we couldn't limit ourselves.
Jesus tried to explain this to His disciples. In Matthew 5, Jesus said the old rule about an eye for an eye isn't about getting free shots. Instead it's about love and forgiveness and having confidence that God will provide.
It takes a confident person to be the first one to drop the ball.
Let's pray.
Forgiving God. We too often seek vengeance against those who've hurt us. We want things to go badly for them. We pray today that you will give us the confidence in our faith to be able to stand up and instead of offering harm, let us give a helping hand. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
The blessings of our Lord Jesus Christ be upon you.
PASTOR TROY CONRAD IS MINISTER OF THE FARMINGTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. EMAIL: [email protected]. THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHOR.
Editorial on 02/22/2017