But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Matthew 5:39
I was probably 13 years old. I had a neighbor whose front yard connected with mine and made the perfect football field, except for that one tree we always had to dodge. But for the most part, it was perfect. We would get a group of friends together and play football from the time school was dismissed until dark. Those were the days. Putting off homework. Eventually, not doing homework. Getting in trouble at school for not doing homework, and finally getting in trouble back at home for not doing homework. It was a great time in my life.
I was a master quarterback and receiver. I could catch most things thrown my way and could hit my friends with striking accuracy when passing to them. Those were special days.
I remember this one time when we were all playing, and my next-door friend, Dale, got mad at me for something. I don’t even remember what it was. I think I was holding him on a pass pattern. I’m not sure. But, he was furious. He pushed me onto the ground, and with all his strength, kicked me in the stomach. He kicked me so hard he knocked all the breath out of me, and I struggled to breathe for a minute or so. And yes, I cried. I hate to admit it, but it hurt. It really hurt.
AND, yes, I cried.
I ran inside to clean myself. My mom was wondering what happened, and I was screaming about Dale. I told her that he was this and that and that I was going back outside to do this and that to him. I was a raging lunatic at 13. I was so mad I couldn’t rationally think or make any clear-headed decision. Dale was a good bit bigger than I was, so it was not very smart to go back outside and look for him. But I did. I went back out and couldn’t find him. He already went inside his house.
I imagine that my friend would have kicked me again if I found him. It was a good thing I didn’t find him.
It’s Hard to Turn the Other Cheek
Why would Jesus give instructions like turning the other cheek? These instructions don’t make sense in a world that should issue justice. I think we all have a justice button somewhere inside us that turns on and causes us to fight for things and against others when injustice abounds. When someone offends or hurts us, it feels like we need to offer some response that would be equal in pain and punishment. But wait. What does Jesus say? He says to turn the other cheek. So Jesus is saying to take it and allow someone to hurt you after they’ve hurt you? Really? That doesn’t make sense.
I think some people believe God put them on the earth to issue His justice to people. I mean, righteous judgment for a wrong done to us is appropriate, isn’t it?
It’s Necessary to Turn the Other Cheek
Regardless of our feelings about any issue, it is essential that when we feel wronged, we should not retaliate, but reflect and respond with love. Non-retaliation sounds counter to the culture today. We live in a culture that says, “If someone wrongs you, return the favor!” I would say, look at Jesus. How did Jesus respond when the Roman soldiers beat, spit on, slapped, bruised, slashed, and hung Him on a cross? His non-response was perhaps one of the most significant responses ever.
I’m sure the Romans had people fight against the painful punishment of scourging and the crucifixion all the time. It was painful, and it was punishing. But Jesus? Nope. Nothing. And I promise you He could have, with one thought, cleared the palace and crushed those who sought to kill Him. But He didn’t. Why?
Jesus knew His purpose was to die for our sins.
That was His purpose, not mine! My purpose is to live a life that is fair, equitable, and full of justice for all. I’m sorry to burst the bubble, but it has never been our obligation to punish others because they’ve hurt us. We are to turn the other cheek.
If someone says something that bothers you, take it. When someone talks about you, take it. If the world closes in on you and condemns you for following Jesus, take it.
Pray for your enemies (Matthew 5:44). I’ve always heard if you pray for your enemies, it’s very difficult to hate them or want to retaliate against them. Jesus didn’t say to pray for our enemies when it’s convenient or comfortable. He said, pray for our enemies.
If our purpose is to lead others to Jesus and live a life that honors Him, it’s a little challenging to do that when we’re kicking them back in the stomach. As much as I wanted to go back outside and kick my friend in the stomach, it wasn’t the best thing by a long shot. The best thing for me to do was to honor Jesus and turn the other cheek. I needed to be kind, compassionate, and understanding. Yes. Even at 13.