Turn the Other Cheek

 Matthew 5:38-39 ESV
“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.”

Explanation:
Jesus was restating the law as it was intended. We have abused and misused this verse of scripture so many times as did the ancients when referring to this law. In Jesus’s discourse on the Mount of Olives He was introducing the Spirit of the law as it was given by God, especially under grace.

The ancient law said, “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,” in order to keep the law and officials from overstepping their authority. The law and its authorities began to use this in personal actions and reactions. If someone knocked out your tooth, you could knock out their tooth, that was not the intent of the law or the Spirit of the law. It was given to stop the over reaching of the authorities.

Jesus went on to add, “Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” Most of us would say, “if someone hurts me, I’m going to hurt them back,” and then proceed to inflict more pain and suffering on them.   Jesus was giving the Spirit of this command; “has someone offended you? You have to choose, to be offended or overlook the matter.”

He said, “don’t resist one who is evil,” but allow them to see your inner character unlike their character, let them see the contrast. We don’t always have to have the last word, the last hit, or the last inflicting of insults. Jesus was more concerned with the character that we show, and the witness that we offer.

Prayer:
Lord, as hard as it is for us to be a representation of You in all situations, help us to resist the temptation to retaliate. Teach us to choose to be the bigger person, the wiser, the one with more self-control, and the ones who choose NOT to be offended. In Your name Lord, Amen!