THE MARRIAGE OF
MERCY AND REPENTANCE
BEGETS JUSTICE
What is justice? The children's story about Goldilocks and the Three Bears gives us an insight into the meaning of justice. Justice, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, is a bowl of porridge that is neither too hot nor too cold but just right. Justice is understood when we understand three concepts: 1) just right 2) too little and 3) too much.
The infliction of personal injury is a problem we have experienced since the dawn of mankind (See, e.g. the case of Cain versus Able). The infliction of personal injury disturbs the balance of justice. How is the balance of justice restored after personal injury has been inflicted? What is the solution to the problem of personal injury?
Jesus considered the problem of the infliction of personal injury and the restoration of the balance of justice. We know what Jesus said to the recipient of the blow to the cheek. "If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also." (Matthew 5:39). Few biblical quotations are as famous as this. For those of us who believe that the bible is a treasure trove of wisdom, it is good, practical advice. Instead of engaging the deliverer of the blow, extricate yourself from the situation and move on with your life. Do not enter a cycle of retaliation and revenge.
Yet, this is only one side of the story. What would Jesus say to the deliverer of the blow?
I take exception to those malefactors and their apologists who try to claim Matthew 5:39 as a shield protecting themselves from accountability. Matthew 5:39 is a challenge to the victim not a shield for the victimizer. I have always thought the next line from Matthew applied to the malefactor. "And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. (Matthew 5:40).
What an exquisite strategy formulated by God! Demand something extraordinary from both the recipient of evil and the doer of evil. Matthew 5:39 would end a cycle of violence and Matthew 5:40 would restore balance to justice. This strikes me as wisdom incarnate. No? Demand something extraordinary from both sides of the evil-doing equation and, perhaps, they can settle upon that which restores peace. But what would restore peace? What puts justice back into balance?
Peace is a state wherein there is no incentive to go to war. When justice is knocked out of balance, the stage is set for war.
Mercy and Repentance are twin concepts. It is the marriage of mercy and repentance that begets justice. When there is justice, there is peace. The equitable principal of an eye for an eye; a tooth for a tooth (See, Leviticus 24:20 , Exodus 21:24, Deuteronomy 19:21 provides us with guidance (See, Matthew 5:17-18).
Mercy occupies the heart of the recipient of personal injury who desires an eye for an eye a tooth for a tooth but no more. We are merciful when we want to get no more than an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
Repentance occupies the heart of the doer of personal injury who desires an eye for an eye a tooth for a tooth but no less. We are penitent when we want to give no less than an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
True mercy and true repentance is a mutual desire to return to the status quo. Justice is an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. No More. No Less. When there is justice, there is peace.
The innovation in today's system of justice is the monetary equivalent of an eye for an eye and the monetary equivalent of a tooth are exchanged instead of the actual eye and tooth themselves. It is a much gentler system of justice.
Just right; too little; too much. Understand this and you understand justice. Goldilocks was right. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the bowl of porridge must be neither too hot nor too cold but just right.