SHOWING MERCY

“Show no pity! That was the prevailing worldview in Jesus’ day. For nearly fifteen hundred years, the rule had been, “Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot” (Deut. 19:21).
 
As severe as that may sound, it originally prevented punishments from exceeding crimes. You know the old saying, “If something is worth doing it’s worthoverdoing!” So the Law of Moses guarded against overdoing punishments, “Only one eye for one eye and only one tooth for one tooth.” That much and no more. 
 
In contrast, Jesus’ followers are to allow kindness to temper retribution. Kindness derails the chain reaction of ever-increasing retaliation. In Jesus’ case, he offered three examples: an injury to the body (if someone strikes you on the right cheek), an injury to property (if someone sues you for your cloak), and an injury to liberty (if someone forces you to walk one mile). And in each case, Jesus counsels kindness.” 
Dave Peterson

And that is precisely why the teachings of Jesus are so unpopular to his followers. But they are still his teachings.

“Treat others the way you want to be treated.” Jesus