Jesus teaches putting aside personal retaliation

This business of turning the other cheek is a tough one.

It seems impossible to forgive an offense, especially when the sting of an insult or the hurt of rejection lingers.

And yet, Jesus’ command is clear: “I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.” (Matthew 5:39)

We live in a world where revenge is considered a right. Consider the recent response of radical Muslims to political cartoons depicting Muhammad. They’ve launched a widespread and lethal campaign to punish, even murder, those they deem responsible for an affront to Islam.

Radical Islam is making headlines with an extreme version of a private battle that often rages unnoticed in the hearts of people. When we’re offended, we desperately want to strike back and make our offenders pay and think twice before ever offending us again.

Jesus’ instruction is radically different: Rather than getting revenge, we ought to look for opportunities to bless those who offend us or hurt us personally.

When we forgo our “right” to personal retaliation, we begin to learn how Jesus defines those who truly follow him: “…Anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:37-39)

Perhaps nothing helps us better understand what it means to lose our lives for the sake of Christ than to suffer unfairly. When we are the brunt of gossip, slander or even misinformed criticism, the urge to present our side in rebuttal is almost overwhelming.

And so the savior’s words challenge us: “If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.” (Matthew 5:40)

I struggle to turn the other cheek. I want to be understood. I want my side to win. I want to prove my strength and intellect by getting the last word in an argument.

Can you relate to that?

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9) It is the character of a child of God to pursue a lifestyle of peace in personal relationships. It is that God-given character of ignoring an insult, responding politely to criticism and letting an aggressive critic get the last word. And it has its rewards.

I was encouraged recently to watch a friend handle some pretty unfair and unexpected public criticism. He considered all the options he had to explain himself, redeem his image and even get back at his critics.

Then he simply chose the higher road of reflection and silence. The result of his silence helps me understand why Jesus’ command to turn the other cheek is so wise. What could have been a bitter and ongoing public argument simply faded into irrelevance. There was no exchange of harsh words that might later have been regretted.

Like my mother used to say, “It takes two to tango.” In the absence of retaliation, an argument cannot gain speed.

The Bible suggests that Christ’s followers will get more and more practice in turning the other cheek, whether we want it or not. One of the signs of the end times, Jesus tells us, is the absence of love – even among those claiming to be religious:

“You will be hated all over the world because of your allegiance to me. … And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. … Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.” (Matthew 24:9, 12 – NLT)

I fully expect insults and violence against Christians to slowly escalate and perhaps even become acceptable in the mainstream, because the Scriptures warn us of such a time.

In the absence of love, retaliation for personal offenses is not merely a viable option, but a right to be executed coldly and swiftly. The proof of this attitude is in every morning’s newspaper, every family’s feud.

And to all of that Jesus says, “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven…” (Matthew 5:45)

Let us pray for faith and strength to leave vengeance in the hands of the God who alone is capable of judging rightly. What freedom Christians have to realize that it is God, not us, who one day will right what is wrong and avenge the suffering of his people.

Until then, he will empower us to endure and win hearts to him with love and forgiveness.