The Jesus’ Way does not retaliate

Matthew 5:38-42

38 ‘You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” 39 But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; 40 and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; 41 and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. 42 Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.

When we are disrespected, insulted, ridiculed – be that physically, emotionally, mentally, or psychologically, we want to fight back. We want to hit the other side twice as hard as they hit us. There is a theory about how countries can win against opponents – be it in trade conflicts, on in wars of words – “Don’t attack anyone, but if someone does attack you hit them twice as hard as they hit you.” Oh, the desire for retaliation is deeply rooted in human beings.

Jesus proposes a completely different pattern – if someone slaps you on the cheek (that is, insults you) let them do it again. If they sue you in court, give them twice as much as they want. If someone forces us to do one favour for them, do a second favour for them, expecting nothing in return. In all of these situations we would be grinding our teeth, holding our temper back. In a word, to live the Jesus way takes enormous self-control.  

We see this pattern in Jesus, when insulted he did not hit back; when taken advantage of he did not defend himself; and so on. We wonder how he could do that – and then we remember back to Jesus’ baptism when the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove came and rested on Jesus. (Matthew 3:16) The Holy Spirit was with Jesus, strengthening, supporting, nurturing him. We need the Holy Spirit even more than Jesus did. For that is the only way we can live this pattern of not retaliating, of not hitting back, of not defending ourselves from being taken advantage of. The Holy Spirit will shape us into this kind of people, people who live the Jesus’ way.

PRAYER:

O Lord, we want to retaliate against those who hurt us, who disrespect us, who take advantage of us. Shape us by the power of the Holy Spirit to be people who live the example of Jesus Christ. People who do not seek revenge or retaliation. Make us more like Jesus. In His name we pray. Amen.