‘ “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 anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. ‘ Matthew 5:38-42
As we continue in the Sermon on the Mount, we start to move into some teaching that goes against the grain of our natural thinking. But remember that what Jesus is preaching is perfection before our Holy God.
Before we dig in, Here are the links to the previous posts in this series:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person.
Our first reaction anytime we feel threatened is to fight back. To get even. When Moses was writing the Laws that the Israelites would attempt to live by when he got to the area of punishment, it wasn’t meant to ramp up what people received as punishment; it was to restrain what our natural tendency would be.
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:17-21 NIV
In the Book of Romans, Paul reminds us not to “repay evil with evil.” Please understand that this does not mean we should not remove ourselves from abusive situations.
I will also say that in the face of imminent danger, we shouldn’t defend ourselves or those we care for. But we should exercise every attempt to disarm the situation before doing anything that harms another human being.
Our mindset should be filled with grace, mercy, and forgiveness in all these situations. On the cross, Jesus gave us this example, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing.”
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.
Again, Jesus gives us more examples to consider. Our go-to discernment should be NOT to lash out. When we act out based on our emotions, we start to take over for God, which is not where we should be.
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
When we get ourselves in a position where we feel we need to control people and our circumstances, we start to move out of God’s will and into the position of God. And this is not where we are to be. But as Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians, God will give us an escape.
The question is… Are we looking for the escape, or are we looking to be right in our circumstances?
If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.
I pray you’ve heard the saying about going the “extra” mile by the time you are reading this. This is where this thinking came from.
Back in the day, when Jesus preached this message, it was not uncommon for a Roman soldier to tap you on the shoulder to carry their pack. It was limited to a mile, but Jesus asked us to go the extra mile.
When we go that extra mile, there is no telling what Jesus can do with that mile. It is possible through that extra mile, He can save another soul. How many people have burdened us for a mile, but we have given up on them?
Who knows what could have happened in that extra mile?
Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
One of the first verses I chose to memorize was Psalm 86:5, “Oh Lord, You are so good. So ready to forgive. So full of unending love for all who ask for Your help.”
This verse moved my heart in a sermon I heard preached at my church in New England. Memorizing that verse has stopped me when I wanted to do what I wanted instead of helping the person asking me for help.
I’ve had this verse explode into my head when faced with the choice.
I think most of us will think about money when thinking about the verse that Jesus was teaching, but I believe that there is another commodity that is more important here: those who are looking for our time.
One of my mentors would say, “Time is more valuable than money. We can get more money, but we can’t get more time.”
When we give our time to another person, we provide them with something more valuable than our money.
Heavenly Father, please open my heart to those around me. Please give me a heart of compassion for those You place around me.
I pray that Your Word shapes my heart to be more like Jesus.
I thank You for Your provision. I pray that You help me be a good steward with the resources You provide me to help build Your Kingdom.
I pray this in the loving name of Jesus Christ. Amen!!
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