Turn The Other Cheek

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you." - Jesus (Matthew 5:38-42)

What's this all about? I grew up quoting the "eye for an eye" verse thinking that God had given me permission to extract a little revenge. In the Old Testament, the punishment was to be equal to the damage that a person had experienced. The human tendency is to extract a pound of flesh for an eight ounce wound. Even our modern day legal system still utilizes this concept. The "damages" rewarded to the harmed party is to be based on the actual value of the lose. (supposedly)

Jesus, as with the other sections we have discussed is trying to clarify what God teachs on the subject. Teachers had distorted the truth of God's law and had applied it from a selfish point of view, just as they had anger, divorce, lust and oaths. Instead of the Law protecting, the teachers had perverted into a justification for retaliation. It was used to satisfy man's natural desire for revenge. Jesus would have none of it.

He called on His followers to be different (as always). They were to handle matters of personal injury with consideration of the other person. (Phil 2:3-4) Of course they were to speak out against evil and injustice, just as He did. But the disciple's speech is to benefit the offender as well as those that are harmed. If someone slaps you on the cheek, turn the other cheek. This would demonstrate a generous attitude. Of course we can defend ourselves, that is not the point here. The backhanded slap was a great insult during Jesus' day. This isn't a life threatening assault, rather this is an injury to pride and He calls for a response in love, not vengeance.

Someone wants your shirt, go the next step and offer you coat. Someone compels you to walk a mile with them, walk the second one also. The idea here is that Jesus' disciples were and are to have a generous spirit that responds to personal attacks with kindness. (check out Romans 12:20) Someone has a personal need that they need help with; (need!) the Christian is to help. This is not a license to steal, rather it is a call to generosity. Your brother needs a loan to help him meet a pressing need, if you have the funds.... as they say... help a brother out. (interest free!)

Many say that Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount cannot be lived out in today's world. I strongly disagree! His teaching is just as applicable toady as it was 2000 years ago. Nothing in this sermon is un-doable when the teaching is understood in the context of His day. Knowing what He said and what the people who heard it understood it to mean is very important. If we approach the teaching without any understanding of its' context, His followers would be either dead or naked without any money. That is not the point here, He is calling on His disciples to respond to everything with an attitude of generosity and love; always keeping the other person in mind when we respond.

Can you imagine a world where people lived out the Sermon? It is not unimaginable and in fact that is what He calls on us to do. Live it out, teach others to do the same. Like a virus, this kind of heart change is to spread throughout the entire world, bringing restoration to mankind; bringing humanity back into compliance with the Creator's plan. Try it for a day, then try it for two, then try it for a week. Approach everything with this attitude and see how it goes. Let me know.

Wise or foolish?