Literally?

Wednesday 27^th March

Read Matthew 5:38-42

“‘You have heard that it was said, “Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.” ³⁹ 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. ⁴⁰ And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. ⁴¹ If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. ⁴² Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” (NIVUK)

Jesus gives four vignettes illustrating what He believes the appropriate response is to personal affront or vengeance. They are all illustrations of ‘not resisting an evil person’ (v39a). They have also caused the most confusion and concern for those in the past, and today, about how exactly we follow that command! 

Much of the confusion has arisen from a desire to take Jesus’ words as seriously as possible. Some elevate them almost to the status of ‘law’ and then determine what that looks like in a range of situations. One should never join the army or police force and hence have to resist an evil person. Bankruptcy and penury should be every Christian’s natural state as they give everything away to anyone who asks. Never stand up to bullies.

There are examples in the New Testament where apostles and others have not behaved in those literally understood ways.  Perhaps there is a way in which what Jesus is talking about does not need to be applied as a new ‘law’ to follow, but a principle that will reveal itself in a different way in the many situations we find ourselves in each day. Spend some time considering what that underlying principle might be given the four situations Jesus describes.