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Leviticus 24:17-21, Anyone who takes the life of a human being is to be put to death.  Anyone who takes the life of someone’s animal must make restitution—life for life.  Anyone who injures their neighbor is to be injured in the same manner:  fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. The one who has inflicted the injury must suffer the same injury. Whoever kills an animal must make restitution, but whoever kills a human being is to be put to death. 

We tend to think of "an eye for an eye" as harsh punishment because Jesus reinterpreted it in such a radical way, but really this justice code in Leviticus was quite fair in its day.  Consequences were to be fair, not arbitrary.  This provided guiding principles for Israelite judgements; the punishment should fit the crime.  It also demonstrated the value of human life.  If someone killed their neighbor's animal, they should not lose their life for that.  They need to make restitution in some way, but human life was much more valuable than the life of a sheep or goat. 

Of course, Jesus took this principle and set the bar even higher.  In the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5, Jesus says, "You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 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. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." Jesus took what was fair and just and made it compassionate and self-sacrificing. 

Let's pray...Lord Jesus, over and over again you demonstrate your love and compassion and we fall short.  Help us to see others the way you see them.  Help us be filled with compassion and willing to sacrifice for others who wrong us.  More of you, less of me.  In Your Name, Amen.