Your Shirt Too!
“If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes you cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic,” (Luke 6:29)
How many times have you heard the line, "you hurt her and I’ll break your neck." How about the phrase, "you hit me and I’ll hit you back!" (maybe you've said that one yourself). These phrases aren’t meant for harm, but rather are said to try to keep control under our own hands. A loving father may use that first line to express how much he cares about his daughter, and a little guy may use the latter line to try and ward off a bully. However, even the best intentions of that loving, yet sinful, father, and the best intentions of the guy just trying to put down a bully so he won’t hurt anyone, are still sinful.
The passage today shows us the attitude we should have when it comes to others. Jesus tells us here not only to let him strike one cheek, but let the person take both, to not only let them take your jacket but offer them your shirt too. No retaliation. Can this be right? It is right. Our loving father doesn’t want us to take retaliation. He knows what happens and sees each tear that we cry (Isaiah 25:8) He will take care of the hurting that we feel like he has taken care of our greatest hurt. He has sent his Son to pay the price for all of our sins. By his life and death for us we will be in bliss beyond compare forever.
We may not always understand why we should turn the other cheek or give not only our “cloak” but our “tunic” as well. However, our heavenly father knows. Therefore we believe, act on it, and look again to our healer, for his blood has given us life.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT: Does this passage mean we should do nothing when people take advantage of us?
PRAYER SUGGESTIONS: Ask God for the discernment and wisdom to act in love in every situation - good or bad - and to trust in him for forgiveness when we fail.