Why Should We Turn the Other Cheek?

Day 29 Matthew 5:38-40


38 “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. 

The saying, “An eye for eye” was a law in the Old Testament to make sure justice was done fairly. The law was given in effect to, “Make the punishment to fit the crime”. These laws were to limit vengeance and permit punishment that was neither too strict or lenient. The problem was people were using this law to take justice into their own hands, and basically say, “I was just doing to him, what he did to me.” When we are wronged, our first reaction is to get even. One of the reasons why the people had such a hard time with Jesus was that he was not the Messiah they had imagined. One who would come to wipe out the Romans in retribution for what they had done to the Jews. Instead Jesus laid down his life and when he was wronged not word came from his mouth. Where do you need apply this in your life?

Jesus help us from the tendency to always want to right ourselves and take matters into our own hands. Help us to surrender our right for retribution to you.  Amen. 

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