Be at Peace
Matthew 5:38 “You have
heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you,
Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn
to him the other also.”
TO fully understand the meaning of Jesus’ teaching, we must
see what kind of slap Jesus refers to. A slap on the right cheek in that
culture was an insulting slap. It was done more to insult a person than it was
to hurt one. One who slapped another on the right check was demeaning the
slapped one as a slave.
Thus Jesus is not
commanding us to refrain from protecting ourselves. But he is commanding us to,
in essence, protect the abuser. That sounds a bit strange, but consider that if
we harshly respond to such insults, we will lose the ability to care for the
person. Disciples are to bear the burden of insults in order to keep open the
door of speaking Jesus’ true love into those who would insult you. If you
respond with insult upon insult, your words and actions will close the door of
further communication. You will lose the
potential of loving “your neighbor as yourself”. (Matt 19:19)
When you read of
Jesus’ life, you will see how Jesus acted into this teaching. He was constantly
insulted and ridiculed. He may not have been slapped physically, but he was
challenged, insulted and treated as a servant with no rights. Yet, he continued
to teach.
And nowhere else
is this teaching more alive than the day Jesus died. Slapped, whipped and crucified,
he still said, “Father forgive them.” (Luke
23:34) he turned the other cheek that his accusers and abusers might receive
salvation one day. You are to do the same.
LIFE Link: Jesus’ peace is strength amid the conflict.
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