Matthew 5:38,39 – “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.”
WHAT??? If someone slaps you let them do it again? I don’t know about you but this one is really tough to imagine. If someone slaps me I think there’s going to be some slapping going in the other direction. It’s hard to think that I would turn my face to the other side and simply say, “Do it again.” What is the lesson here, that we’re supposed to be stupid? If we look at the next nine verses I think we can glean the meaning that is intended. Here are the challenges: “If you are sued in court and they take your shirt, give them your coat also…If a soldier asks you to carry his gear one mile, carry it two…love your enemies…if you’re kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else.” Ah, there it is! Be different than everyone else. Don’t do what is expected; go beyond what is expected. If you show that you’re different, you will be acting like your Father in heaven. One thing is for sure, you can’t fulfill these teachings if the flesh is running the show. That’s why prayer and fasting is essential. Without it, we will be just like everyone else, and according to Jesus, that will not do.