Sermon on the Mount: Vengeance is Mine
Matthew 5:38–42 (ESV):
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.”

Justice is written deep in the human heart. When we’re wronged, our first instinct is to want balance—to return the pain, to settle the score. It feels fair. After all, “an eye for an eye” was a legal principle in the Old Testament, meant to ensure measured justice. But in His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus flips the script—not just on justice, but on our understanding of strength, mercy, and what it means to live in the kingdom of God.

Letting Go of the Scorecard

Jesus doesn’t say injustice doesn’t matter. He’s not telling us to become doormats. What He’s offering is a radical way to break the cycle of retaliation. When we respond to harm with more harm, no one wins. But when we respond with grace, we stop vengeance in its tracks. We reflect the heart of a God who says, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” (Romans 12:19)

God is not asking us to ignore evil—He’s asking us to trust that He sees, He knows, and He will bring justice in His time. Our role is not to punish, but to model mercy.

A Higher Kind of Strength

Turning the other cheek isn’t weakness—it’s strength under control. Giving more than what’s demanded, walking the extra mile, or giving generously even when it’s inconvenient—these are acts of power rooted in love. They show the world a kingdom that’s not ruled by revenge or pride, but by grace and peace.

This teaching doesn’t just reshape personal interactions—it reshapes communities. It replaces retribution with reconciliation. It breaks generational cycles of bitterness. And it testifies to a Savior who took the ultimate injustice on the cross without striking back.

Living the Jesus Way

This passage is not easy. It asks something supernatural of us. But we don’t do it alone. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live this out—not perfectly, but faithfully. And when we do, we mirror the heart of Christ, who endured wrongs for our sake and calls us to follow in His steps.

So the next time someone wrongs you, remember this: the burden of revenge doesn’t belong to you. Justice will come—but it will come from a God who sees the whole picture. Your role is to forgive, to give, to go the extra mile—not because they deserve it, but because Jesus did the same for you.

Because vengeance isn’t ours. It’s His.