Jesus points out the kind of goodness we must do and the kind of goodness which God expects according to the Law, which requires that every “jot” (the Hebrew letter yodh) and every “tittle” (one of the little projections which make the difference between the Hebrew words be kept (Matt. 5: 18). Take a look at the original “What’s In a Dot?” The demands of God go to small points that we usually don’t think about like in turning the other cheek (Matt. 5:38-42)
Matthew 5:38-42 New King James Version (NKJV)
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
There is here the understanding of human nature. If someone hits me and breaks out my tooth, I want to decapitate them. If someone took out my eye I would want them dead. It was called proportionality. Human nature by itself will respond to harm with annihilation. We believe that we have to be protected from, or able to defend ourselves from those who would hurt us. Jesus says we are to do what He would do and expose ourselves to loveless men. If not we should go to hell.
There is rescue in the Gospel, but we still have some jots and tittles to deal with.
