Matthew 5:38-42 (NIV) “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 someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”
These verses confuse me. Was Christ exaggerating to make a point? Is it key that He said “do not resist an evil person?” Could He have been talking about agressive attacks against us, perhaps a vengeful or vindictive person, and that it’s best not to go too far down that path with them?
In our society, translating those verses literally could create an explosion of homeless, naked, and penniless Christians. So how do I interpret this passage? What is the meaning of it in our world today?
I think of the missionaries slaughtered in Ecuador by the Auca Indians. The missionaries were armed with guns, could have defended themselves, but they allowed the angry Aucas to kill them. I would love to believe that I could do that as well, but. . .who knows until we are faced with that situation.
These verses don’t confound me because I want to protect myself or my stuff. It is because I don’t know where to draw the lines; what constitutes sacrifice for Christ versus being a doormat out of ignorance? When do we stand and when do we step aside? When do we protest and fight versus going limp and letting someone take their stabs at us? Indeed, should we ever protest?
5 responses so far ↓
cumby // March 19, 2007 at 6:59 pm
An interesting question. No one harms my family if I’m there to stop it.
However: if the authorities come to lock me or my family up because we’re Christians, then we will not resist.
I suspect that at the moment any of these events happen, we will have the peace of the Lord not to resist; or the knowledge to defend ourselves.
Let us pray that none of these situations ever arise but that if they do we will be ready.
totaltransformation // March 20, 2007 at 5:53 am
I liked this explanation:
“n the case of an offense to our personal dignity, Jesus not only warns us not to avenge our honor by retaliating but suggests that we indulge the offender further. By freely offering our other cheek, we show that those who are secure in their status before God do not value human honor. Indeed, in some sense we practice resistance by showing our contempt for the value of our insulter’s (and perhaps the onlookers’) opinions! Because we value God’s honor rather than our own (Mt 5:16; 6:1-18), because our very lives become forfeit to us when we begin to follow Jesus Christ (16:24-27), we have no honor of our own to lose. In this way we testify to those who insult us of a higher allegiance of which they should take notice.”
Check out the full topic at
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/index.php?action=getCommentaryText&cid=1&source=1&seq=i.47.5.12
timbob // March 20, 2007 at 9:25 am
Greetings. I think the two above comments are great and there’s not much that I can add here. I know that folks take this verse to try and say that the bible, which they never read, contradicts itself. Not true. In fact if we love our neighbor as ourself, we’ll not retaliate at all unless it’s a necessity like if one of our own are being threatened. Cumby outlined this well.
Have a great day in Jesus.
timbob
novicechristian // March 20, 2007 at 11:55 am
Hi all. Thanks for your input! Cumby, you said: “I suspect that at the moment any of these events happen, we will have the peace of the Lord not to resist; or the knowledge to defend ourselves.” Yes, I’ve experienced this, so I pray that that is exactly what would happen! It’s a supernatural, internal guidance system.
tt, I love that explanation. Thank you for posting, and for the link.
Timbob, thanks for stopping by, and for you comments!
Peace in Christ,
Catherine
krislinatin // March 26, 2007 at 11:11 am
while i dont recommend all of whorechurchs writings, i would look at his post about his son getting hit by a boy.
while he shouldnt and didnt hit back, there should be some punishment for what the boy did, and Kevin, even tho extremely upset, is handling it well. So far.
http://myotherblogisaporsche.wordpress.com/2007/03/23/can-i-beat-up-a-15-year-old/
kristina