The challenge of turning the other cheek

In a world where retribution seems the only way to show fairness and justice even in untruthful situations, Jesus calls for His followers to “turn the other cheek”. Many are torn between this and “an eye for an eye”. These two sayings were based on two different circumstances. 

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“An eye for an eye” became a standard for judgment, yet has been loosely followed by the Jews to the advantage of their vindictive intentions. The statement is only applicable after the circumstances of the offender have been weighed by the priests and the judges. Through the years, the Jews have used this to fuel personal vendettas, returning more evil than originally received. 

Jesus came to set straight the path of the wicked and to bring them to redemption. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus instructed His followers to “turn the other cheek”. A slap is meant to cause insult to provoke a reaction or a confrontation. What Jesus meant by saying this is that a person should never retaliate. By not retaliating, a person is putting a stop to the vicious cycle of paying evil for evil. 

We should never fear turning the other cheek. When someone is done wrong by another, he must not seek revenge, as it is written, “’vengeance is mine,’ says the Lord”. As the world fights fire with fire, the followers of Jesus are called to fight evil with good. With love as a response to hatred, believers would catch the attention of many, giving them a chance to share the Gospel. 

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Calvary Houston values Bible-based teaching, as it teaches the Word of God line upon line, and percept upon percept to help their members mature as believers. At Calvary Church Houston, the members believe the church should reach outside its borders to others around them, even to the ends of the world. Visit Calvary Houston’s blog to learn how to live according to the Bible.