Jesus advised we do this as our quest for ‘revenge:’ turning our other cheek as though to take the second slap when we have received the first – perhaps of the thing we didn’t deserve. This could be unexpected, and foolish: Your enemy could call you foolish in case you said ‘slap me again’, as though to fulfill his pleasure exceedingly; it could – as the poet mentioned – pile coals on his head. Foolish though it may be, let’s remember that the wisdom of God is wiser than the highest philosophy, tradition and intellect of man. So, if it’s God’s foolish, there’s a guarantee that one would get away with it with much more.
Let us also notice that turning the other cheek means looking in an altogether different direction. You’d have been facing East, but to be slapped properly, you have to turn and face the West; for that side to receive its fair share as well. Of course, I am not agreeing that if you are receiving wrong doctrine or spiritual abuse that you should turn the third time. I’m not advocating for injustice, but rather God’s wisdom; doing what’s right, what’s true, and praise worthy. And to add to Apostle Paul; us not just stopping at ‘thinking on these things’, but taking the extra step.
This means forgiveness as well; for this is the way of the Father that His son showed us;
So, if a soldier assaults your savior, don’t cut his ear off. Turn the other cheek! If you are betrayed or denied three times by a close friend, don’t begrudge, turn the other cheek! If your wife tells you to curse God and die, turn the other cheek. Even if God may slay you, yet should you trust Him – that’s turning the other cheek. Praising Him resounding, while your wrists and ankles are hugged by cuffs and shackles – that’s turning the other cheek. If God continues to send you dreams, but none seem to be manifesting, turn the other cheek – beholding not the fact that the rain isn’t falling, nor how long Isaac has taken to arrive – trusting the faithfulness of who promised.
If you tried to resurrect someone, and they didn’t wake, turn the other cheek: the sign of raising the dead still follows you. Try again! If your heart was broken, turn the other cheek. Not every guy or girl will be as ‘using’ as the previous. If your enemy did hurt you, don’t try to get even. Turn the other cheek.
If you keep giving towards people’s birthdays, and they seem to forget you, remember Jesus told you to give and expect nothing back. Do all things as unto Him. He’ll reward you for turning the cheek: for doing what’s true: the truth of His will in His word which states that the generous man shall be made fat, and you that waters others, you yourself shall be watered. It didn’t say that the ones you’ve watered shall water you back – but rather left a blank space thereafter; meaning they could, or they could not, but as sure as the sun rises the next day; thou must be comforted and assured that YOU WILL BE WATERED!
Like Hannah, let’s not revenge Peninah’s scorn by dueling her. Let’s turn the cheek to our prayer closets, and let vengeance be the Lord’s. When vain advice comes that we must get ready to fight wars, we must turn the other cheek and raise our tambourines instead; trusting unworldly strategies even when foolish they look. When fathers abuse their daughters, or mothers their sons, unforgiveness is evident, but if the grace is allowed, one’s cheek can turn, and look into a whole different direction: to a brighter future defined by God’s turning of evil to work for one’s good.
And I’d lie if I say it’s easy, but I would not if I said it was not impossible. To repeat myself, we must – or should – not just think of what’s just or noble or praiseworthy or true; but DO it as well. Jesus was God’s word embodied. Truth in flesh. And if truth advises we turn the other cheek, then I believe whatever the advice is, it defines the best way to live. For prior to being truth, it was the way, and after being the truth, it is LIFE! And if Moses said life and death are before us, and that we must choose; I believe you’d choose life, and I hope you’re yielded enough, to stick the ‘life-way’ (which is also known as the ‘narrow-way’) even when it suggests the most foolish of things or hardest of them.
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Matthew 5:39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
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