‘An eye for an eye’ … and then some

‘Y e have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.”

(Matthew 5:38-42) The story is told of a successful business owner that was retiring at the age of 38. At the end of his career, his family, friends, and business partners held a formal banquet to celebrate the man’s success and during the dinner, the man spoke to the large crowd, thanking them for their support and then decided he would offer his secret to his success. He began to explain that his entire career and any good that might have been accomplished by him in his life has all been a result of him living by three simple words. The crowd grew extremely quiet, and everyone leaned in to listen closely to the three words that changed this man’s life and helped him be able to retire at the age of 38, and the man continues by saying the three words that he lived by was “and then some.” Of course, the crowd looked a bit confused until the man began to explain that everything in his life that was expected of him, he made sure to meet those expectations and then some. He continued by saying in school, if he was required to study a subject, he would study the material provided and then everything he could about that subject, if his teachers wanted him to write a three page paper, then he would write a six page paper, and everything throughout high school and college, if he was expected to do something, he would do that and then some and was able to graduate at the top of his class in high school and college. After college the man began working and did everything his boss expected and then some.

After climbing the company ladder, and reaching the top, the man decided to start his own business and gave his customers everything they expected from him and then some which led to his success and afforded him the ability to retire at a young age.

There seems to be a shortage of people with the attitude of “and then some.” It seems as if most people, in this present society, are only concerned with providing the bare minimum. Teachers can probably give a long list of the students they have that only provide the minimum or less. Jobs are filled with people that are doing the bare minimum, only doing what is expected of them, only work as hard as they must and remain employed. The teacher and the business owner, alike, all desire the best for their students and employees, wanting to see them succeed in everything they do, and those that will give everything that is expected and then some will be successful in anything they do.

This problem, however, is not only seen in schools or in business, but the sad reality is, this attitude is seen within the church also.

There are congregations around the world that are in serious need of some “and then some” Christians.

Speaking generally, it is said that the majority of the work of a congregation is done by ten percent of the people. There are some that will never miss a Sunday morning worship, but are rarely, if ever, seen on Sunday or Wednesday night.

There are some that will make sure they give what is required of them when the collection is gathered on Sundays but will never desire to be involved with any evangelism or works of benevolence the church may be involved in. There is a shortage of people that are willing to teach a Bible class, or lead in any way during the worship services, and congregations are filled with people that do only what is expected of them, and the church is crying out for “and then some” people.

Jesus calls for His followers to be “and then some” people, and in the Sermon on the Mount, there are six statements made by Jesus that address the Old Law and then Jesus will add “and then some” (Matt.

5:21-48). In Matthew 5:3842, Jesus addresses the “laws of retaliation” in which the Old Testament Law provided laws for maintaining justice and purging evil from the children of Israel (Exodus 21:22-27; Deuteronomy 19:19-21). These laws were intended to prevent inappropriate punishment against anyone that would commit a crime but would also hold someone accountable for the crimes committed. This law was fair, as the victim of a crime would be able to seek justice, but at the same time, it would prevent retaliation or revenge beyond the crime committed. These types of laws are enforced in our present society, and as the old saying goes, “if you do the crime you have to do the time.”

Jesus cites the Law and then He expands upon the attitude that His followers should have. Those that will follow Jesus should resist the evil temptation to retaliate or be driven by an attitude of hatred towards one that may wrong them.

Jesus says if one will smite you on the cheek, turn the other to him, or if one takes your coat in a lawsuit, give him “thy cloak also,” and if anyone asks you to go a mile with them, go the mile and then some. Obviously, Jesus did not mean this literally, and one is not expected to literally offer their other cheek when smitten, but Jesus does expect His followers to have the attitude of forgiveness and love for fellow man.

Not many would be willing to have the type of attitude Jesus says we should have, doing all that is required of us and then some, but those that are willing to follow Jesus must humble themselves, even if it means loving or forgiving someone that has wronged you. How many will be willing to do all that Jesus expects and then some?

Jeremy Thornton is Minister of Highway 77 Church of Christ in Marion, Arkansas.

Jeremy Thornton

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