Turning the Other Cheek

 We’ve heard the phrase “Turn the other cheek”.  It comes from the scripture Matthew 5:38-40 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. ‘But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.”

If we’re honest with ourselves I don’t think we like this scripture very much. That’s not the world we live in. We live in a world of retaliation.

Sometimes I think this scripture strikes a frustrated cord in our hearts. We find ourselves saying “But you don’t understand!”

Jesus spoke these words during his sermon on the mount. People from all over Syria, Judea, Galilee, the Decapolis, and areas beyond the Jordan River came to hear Jesus speak. These were important words expressed to a people who felt oppressed, misunderstood and beaten down. They probably weren’t words they wanted to hear.

The thing is, these words don’t mean exactly what we think they mean.

Let’s look at what they don’t mean. They don’t  mean that you are to stay in an abusive relationship. They don’t mean you should put yourself in harm’s way or not defend your life if it is threatened. Acting in defense with the intent to physically “get away to safety” is different than lashing back at someone to inflict equal pain.

Turning the other cheek does not imply weakness, nor does it mean we place ourselves or others in danger. Jesus’ command to turn the other cheek is simply a command to forgo retaliation in anger for personal offenses; the kind of retaliation that festers within us.

There was a time in history when a man would feel compelled to protect his honor against someone who merely “said” something negative about him or insulted his character. (I think we’ve seen these scenes played out in movies)The offended party would then challenge the offender to a duel. Swords, guns, or other weapons were chosen, and the two enemies would face off.  This usually ended with senseless bloodshed.

As God so often times does; He asks us to do things that we have trouble doing in our own strength. Retaliation is what most people expect and how worldly people act.

Turning the other cheek requires help from God.

When Jesus was persecuted and beaten his prayer was “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing”

Ok, so we know what not to do. What is it we are supposed to do? Well there are several examples in the bible to help us.

If we take a look at Joseph in Genesis 37 we see a man who was put in many unfair situations. He was sold into slavery by his brothers and then ended up in jail. He was continually in situations he did not deserve, yet each time he behaved in a way that was faithful to God. He was always respectful and fair regardless of how he was treated and through his behavior he excelled. His difficult situations changed and eventually he was actually put in one of the highest places of honor. This place of honor gave him an opportunity to retaliate against his brothers, but instead, while in that place of honor, he actually forgave his brothers.

In 1st and 2^nd Samuel, David is pursued relentlessly by Saul. Saul wants to kill David and he almost does! David has the opportunity to kill Saul but he doesn’t.

Both of these biblical men turned the other cheek, but not necessarily in the way we understand. Joseph turned the other cheek in forgiveness. David turned the other cheek by becoming King. What do both of their stories have in common? They both leaned into God for their strength.

Turning the other cheek can simply mean walking away or putting distance between. Turning the other cheek can be prayerfully handing that relationship to God.

Sometimes people come at us with words. Sometimes they come at us with hurtful actions and we want to hurt back. Jesus says no. That’s not who I’ve called you to be. Jesus calls us to forgive. Jesus calls us to hold our tongue when we want to throw back words like daggers. Sometimes that requires turning our cheeks in the form of walking away and leaning into God.

We underestimate the power of these actions.

Our whole lives our meant to be lived leaning into God and doing things in His strength; the hard stuff, the challenging stuff and the things that without Him would be impossible.

I hope you can see this scripture with new eyes now. My prayer is it will no longer strike a frustrated cord in our hearts……but instead be a healing word of hope.