Turn the other cheek

Matthew 5: 38 - 42

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 an evildoer........

Jesus' teaching and examples of what 'surpassing righteousness' is like seem to get harder and harder to follow. In this passage Jesus gives five examples how to deal with situations which we might likely find ourselves in. Each situation from turning the other cheek to going the second mile to not refusing a borrower..demands so much that I wonder how I could ever carry out what Jesus says. Is it foolishness to even try to act in such ways? Perhaps it does not apply to our times and we need to contextualize it. Whatever way we try to rationalize the commands, we come back to Jesus as our example. Did he just tell us what to do and then leave us to struggle and more often than not, fail?

....one of the officials near by struck him in the face. "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" he demanded. "If I said something wrong, " Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. but if I spoke the truth why did you strike me?" (John 18: 22-23)

As I imagine Jesus in this scene, being struck in the face and responding with truth, rather than with violence, I begin to understand his words. The examples of 'surpassing righteousness' given here point to the inner disposition of my heart, rather than test my ability to perform certain deeds meticulously. When I gaze at Jesus in his hour of trial, I see someone who responds as he does because of the inner disposition of his heart.

When I look at myself now, I realize how much less defensive I am when criticised. And yet, knowing myself well, I would still nurse a wound and perhaps 'strike back' in my heart if not in words or actions. Isn't it common to have imaginary conversations with people who have wronged us, conversations in which we give them a piece of our mind (only we are too cowardly to do so straight out?). Jesus has shown by word and example how truly high the standards of righteousness are in the kingdom. In examining my life before his example and teaching, I become aware of the areas where my heart is not 'free' of self centeredness. It is only when I am no longer attached to "my rights" that I become free not to retaliate but to extend forgiveness to others, free to help even when it is inconvenient for me, free to give and lend without expecting any return......

I cannot do all this on my own, unless I become legalistic and find clever ways to follow the letter of Jesus' teaching, without having the heart attitude to match. Instead, I am strengthened when I gaze upon my Lord in his hour of need, watching how he responded in simple truth rather than with violence. As I gaze, the reality of his action moves his words deeper and deeper into my heart, the center from which my own responses will flow.