The scriptural text of “an eye for an eye” speaks of a brutal reality: the first eye plucked, the second violently damaged. This ancient principle doesn’t just represent two individuals; it embodies two groups caught in a relentless cycle of violence. Each group contends that justice demands a response, arguing that deterring their opponent’s aggression requires strict retaliatory actions. Each group perceives themselves as a victim, not an oppressor or an advocate of violence, attacking in the name of self-defense. Sadly, this violence escalates beyond mere eyes. It expands to include teeth, hands, and feet, threatening to injure the entire body with wounds and bruises. The biblical text vividly describes such potential escalation saying: “eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise (Exodus 21: 24-25). This perspective known as Lex Talionis - a Latin legal term meaning “the law of retaliation” was initially intended to deter wrongdoers and limit vengeance. Sadly, it often devolves into relentless revenge and even the absence of mercy (Deuteronomy 19: 21). Groups caught in this pattern inevitably “draw the sword” against each fulfilling the prophetic words of Christ who said: “all who draw the sword will die by the sword (Matthew 26: 52). Lives will be lost. Is there a different way?

 

The Lex Talionis has been profoundly abused by merciless leaders. It has lost its effectiveness in a world that seeks a selfish justice, one that excludes loving one’s neighbor and neighborhood. It has abandoned its original vision of building an equitable society for all the inhabitants. Justice devoid of love become a powerful justification for revenge. As Gandhi wisely stated, “an eye for an eye will make the whole world blind.” Indeed, political leaders who pursue such a retaliatory response are already blind. They have missed or deliberately ignored the paradigm shift that transforms personal, political, or social justice into missional justice. Jesus declared, “If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also” (Matthew 5: 39). Between the first slap and the possibility of the second slap, between the first missile and the potential for another, the person who is attacked chooses not to revenge or to strike back. A moment of reflection brings new illumination beyond the immediate circumstances. A sapiential moment reveals the profound wisdom of the cross, of forgiveness, of mercy, of humanizing instead of demonizing. The slapped person by choosing to offer the other cheek transforms their identity from a victim into a peacemaker. Peacemaking requires creating a new environment, a sincere willingness, an initiative to address the broken relationship in a way that grants the other party a moment of reflection. The slapped person accepts taking the last hit hoping to rebuild a new relationship that embodies both love and justice for all. Provoking the humanity of your opponent is not foolishness, it is true peacemaking, an act born from genuine power, not fear or cowardice.

 

Iran and Israel need to cease fighting each other and instead fight the demonization of each other. They must stop exaggerating each other’s threats and consider co-existing in the shared neighborhood of the Middle East. Otherwise, both will suffer and their children will be lost in a futile war. Last, but not least, please pray that the war will stop! Please support peacemaking in every possible way! Please pray for the church in Iran, Israel, Palestine, and the rest of the Middle East!