An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind

Levy Bellfield started a life imprisonment sentence on 23^rd June after being convicted of the murder of Milly Dowler. Bellfield was already serving prison sentences for murdering other women. Clearly Bellfield is a violent and dangerous man described by the judge as a cruel and pitiless killer.

After the trial the Dowler family were said to want “an eye for an eye”. Milly’s sister Gemma said Bellfield should pay “the ultimate price” for the killing.

“You brutally murder someone, you should pay the ultimate price – a life for a life,’ she said. (Daily Express 25 June 2011.)

Given Milly’s murder and the way the Dowler family were subject to a harrowing cross examination by Belfield’s barrister, it is hardly surprising that they reacted in this way. And it is hardly surprising that tabloid newspapers such as the Daily Express and Daily Mail should latch on to that aspect of the story.

So should a murder conviction mean “a life for a life”?

In Matthew’s Gospel we find Jesus discussing the principle of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Jesus is seeking to discuss what is laid out in Exodus 21:24 – 25. These two verses are part of a whole section of laws setting out the conduct of people in relation to disputes with slaves, the management and use of property and justice in respect of personal injury. And it is clear that this ancient Jewish law wishes to make clear what is fair. In other words, if Person A injures Person B and Person B loses his eye, then Person B can demand that Person A has an eye removed.

But Jesus’ teaching challenges this. For Jesus says that his followers are to react differently. We are to turn the right cheek; we are to go the extra mile. And we are to love our enemies. (Matthew 5: 38 – 48)

We are not to seek revenge but we are to love our enemies and try to be reconciled to them. It’s a huge challenge and it goes against human instincts. It also seems to go against our ideas of what is fair and just. But Jesus’ values are very different to ours. Jesus’ values are not about revenge but about love.

The Dowler family’s reaction is very natural. But is not the reaction of followers of Jesus.

As Ghandi said "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind"