You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.
Don’t just be as Christ-like as the law demands; go way beyond that!
Sometimes we get the idea that as long as the law allows something it must be okay, or that if the law requires something of us, that’s as far as we have to go. But remember that our highest allegiance is not a legal allegiance, but a relational allegiance to Jesus Christ.
It’s not weak to live the way Jesus describes in these verses. In fact, this description fits Jesus’ own life perfectly. They struck Him on the cheek; they took His clothes; they demanded so much of Him. He responded by not lashing out, not claiming His rights as God, not summoning His legions of angels, but by healing the soldier’s ear (Luke 22:51), and praying for their forgiveness.
It was His apparent “weakness” that won so many hearts to Him.
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