that was performed for very young children that led researchers to conclude
that children have an innate sense of right and wrong.
The researchers also made some other interesting conclusions about human
nature. One that really caught my attention was: “The justice system has
evolved to rein in our individual desire for blood. Without such a system of
law and their enforcement we must live lives of total anarchy, everyone
fending entirely and only for themselves.” Wow! If you would allow me to
roughly paraphrase…..”If we didn’t have laws we would all be rebellious,
vengeful, blood seeking and self-centered with nothing to reign us in.”
People will vary with how much they agree with this idea but I believe that
overall most people are thankful for our laws and their enforcement
because…well….they really don’t want to see what we are capable of doing
to each other if there was no one to hold us accountable. The fact of the
matter is that we do understand right from wrong and many people would have
no problem doing wrong if there wasn’t some authority to hold them in check.
It is interesting to note that in the Old Testament, when an “eye for an
eye” was taught, it wasn’t to promote vengeance (as you often hear it
referenced today) but it was given to keep people from excessively punishing
someone who wronged them.
Jesus expanded on this teaching when he said, 38You have heard that it was
said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'[ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If
anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40
And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as
well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42
Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to
borrow from you.” Matthew 5:38-42
Interesting. Our Lord no longer puts the focus on proper justice but on
kindness, humility and generosity. He shares a greater teaching than just,
“make sure a person gets only the justice they deserve and no more” by
teaching that we are to make sure a person gets what they don’t deserve
(kindness, possessions, a willingness to serve them, etc.) when we are
wronged.
You may wonder how by doing such things we bring about justice, but bringing
about justice is not the point. Jesus was ushering in a new order, and a new
teaching about how we are to be with one another. He would lead the way in
showing what it meant to love your enemies and treat them with grace and
mercy. He would show us all how to endure ridicule and brutality for the
greater good of demonstrating God’s love.
If we are to live as Jesus has called us to live and share the message of
the gospel, we can’t go around looking for our pound of flesh when someone
wrongs us. Although it may be our nature to want to do so it is not how
Jesus taught us to respond.
When Jesus died on the cross He showed the world that He was not about “an
eye for an eye” but instead was about a willingness to die…for the sinful,
those who slapped him, dragged him into “court”, ripped the clothes off his
body and cast lots for them. In so doing he “taught” the gospel.. As His
followers he want us to share the gospel too. This means that we to will
have to be willing to extend mercy and grace even when it is not only not
deserved, but justice seems more in order.
For Him,