Turn the other cheek
When we were moving through Exodus we came across the Old Testament law: “an eye for an eye.” It limited the kind of retribution the injured party could pursue. The law says you may exact only as much as it cost you. There is to be no escalation of violence according to the law of Moses.
But here in Matthew, Jesus ‘fills full’ the law of reciprocity. He doesn’t just seek to limit the payback we seek. He tells us to pay back in a completely different way. To answer evil with good:
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5:38-39)
Here’s what Jesus is saying:
when you are struck…
don’t strike back, take the blow
don’t protect yourself, expose yourself
don’t lead with justice, lead with mercy
don’t retreat into safety, advance into danger
don’t retaliate with strength, retaliate with weakness
don’t shrink into self-pity, move out into self-giving
don’t insist on your rights, open yourself to wrong
don’t cower in defeat, hold fast in meekness
don’t stand on your dignity, stand on your shame
don’t harden into bitterness, soften into tenderness
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be defiantly peaceable
be immovably vulnerable
be steafastly gracious
be victoriously wounded
be like Jesus.
Who, when we lashed out at Him…
did not come in violence. nor remain in indifference
did not strike back. nor shrink back
did not retaliate. nor harden
.
He absorbed the blow
And He turned again to us.
He upheld His offer.
Arms outstretched, even to His killers.
Especially them
Only them
You, even.
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There is strength in this weakness.
Strength to redeem the world.
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It begins with surrender.
Laying down your arms.
Receiving His peace.
.
It continues with service.
Following His way.
Absorbing your own blows.
Today. Every day. Turning your cheek.
To this you are called.
.
To be lower than a door-mat. Far lower.
A door-mat is passive
But you thow yourself under the feet of your enemies.
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To be lower than a slave. Far lower.
A slave walks his alotted mile grumbling in his heart.
You walk two miles with a glint in your eyes.
For you know the power of this weakness.
It reconciles the world.
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