But I tell you

Matthew 5:39But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.

I’ve always struggled with the justice of this passage. If someone injures me, my family or takes my stuff, do I really ignore the misdemeanour? Does this mean I don’t defend myself or my loved ones from dangerous people or insure my car? Do I not go to war to defend my country?

I think Oswald Chambers sums this up well:

In the natural realm, if a person does not hit back, it is because he is a coward. But in the spiritual realm, it is the very evidence of the Son of God in him if he does not hit back.

I tell you
Quite simply Jesus has a different way to what is the natural default. This is highlighted in the verse above. The natural response to stand your ground and fight back physically (in a fight), emotionally (in an argument) or legally (in a courtroom) is very different to what Jesus says. It’s so different that it’s both inspiring and offensive.

In fact, the whole of Matthew 5 is a record of Jesus simply revealing his heart — his new way which we know and refer to as the Kingdom of God. It goes like this: “You’ve heard it said… but I say…” In this message Jesus is simply rewiring humanity. The question for me today is: am I rewired? Or am I still struggling to trust Jesus and work out the morality, ethics and logic of how to respond in a situation like above? Am I more concerned with living his eternal way and representing the Almighty King than seeking personal and temporary justice?

In summary from Oswald Chambers:

Never look for righteousness in the other person, but never cease to be righteous yourself. We are always looking for justice, yet the essence of the teaching of the Sermon on the Mount is — Never look for justice, but never cease to give it.

Application
1. Am I rewired yet?
2. Am I concerned with receiving personal justice or my representation of Jesus?