CHRIST NEWS.COM.- Jesus’ teaching about turning the other cheek is from Matthew 5:38-42, which is part of his Sermon on the Mount. Jesus was instructing his followers, including you and me, on how to respond when someone hurts us or when we are asked to do something we don’t want to do.
“You have heard that it was said: An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I tell you, do not resist a bad person. If someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other cheek also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your shirt, give them your coat too. If someone forces you to walk one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and to the one who wants to borrow from you, do not turn your back on him. (Matthew 5:38-42).
I think Matthew 5:38 is one of the most difficult passages in the New Testament.
The interpretation of this verse seems obvious. But the problem is that it’s pretty hard to make this teaching fit what you and I would naturally want to do.
why an eye for an eye
Note that in the law of Moses, the principle of punishing at the height of the crime had two basic purposes.
The first purpose was to further reduce crime. When someone faces certain punishment, he is less likely to commit a crime (see Deuteronomy 19:18-20).
The second purpose was to avoid excessive punishment. If someone hurts your arm, you don’t have the right to gouge out their eye. The punishment was to equal, but not exceed, the damage caused by the offense (see Genesis 4:23-24).
Jesus did not ask to be abused
If you are walking down the street and see a child being abused or a woman attacked, you cannot stand there and watch.
Jesus said, “If you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one” (Luke 22:36).
Although Jesus also ordered Peter: “Put away your sword” (John 18; 11).
How can we understand both commandments? My guiding principle is: “There is a time to fight and there is a time to turn the other cheek.”
Jesus Christ is saying, “Even if a man directs you the deadliest and most calculated insult, you must not retaliate!”
Jesus also said: “In a lawsuit, return the tunic you want before nightfall.”
The attitude of a citizen of the kingdom should be the willingness to give even the coat instead of causing offense or resentment with an adversary.
When do we turn the other cheek?
There are several cases that indicate when we should give in and turn the other cheek. One is when it is because of the gospel.
Our rights are never as important as leading people to the Lord.
In fact, the apostle Paul said, “I gave up my rights for the sake of the gospel! I gave up my right to eat and drink. I gave up my right to be married. I gave up my right to receive a salary. Others receive support; but I waived my right to it. Why? So you can offer the gospel for free. I gave him my right to have a healthy body. My body has often been beaten until it is black and blue.”
When someone wrongs us, do we want to finish off the wrongdoer? If it is the one who offends us that we want to destroy, the Law of Moses is enough. But if we want to destroy evil itself and save the wrongdoer in the process, we must take another approach.
The only way to destroy evil and save the evildoer in the process is to respond in contrast. Don’t respond in kind.
Jesus says, “Stop spending your life trying to get even; stop worrying about whether or not you have all your possessions; Stop looking for milestones. There are more important things!”
Article written by Roger Barrer in cross walk.
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