“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 the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5.38-39)
There are many billboards in my city that advertise the services of law firms, each with their own slogan. One in particular always stands out to me: “Don’t settle for less than you deserve.” I want to believe that this firm has helped many people find justice in our legal system, but their slogan expresses to me one of our most base human desires – to get what is mine by rights.
This makes sense in the realm of our culture. We do live in a society that values the biggest, the strongest, and the richest. In this realm, our safety and security needs to be defended from bigger and stronger and richer threats. Defending rights and privileges therefore makes sense.
But in Christ, God has transferred us to a different realm – to the “kingdom of God.” (Colossians 3.15) In this system, the rules of behavior are different, because our source of safety and security are different. We don’t have to be our own defender or advocate – the Lord is our advocate; God is our ultimate defender and provider. This looks “upside down” to the way our world lives.
My late father-in-law, Les, exemplified this heart attitude. After years of hard work and commitment, he had built his own engineering consulting business with two other partners. But, at the height of his career, his partners were able to restructure the business, essentially cutting Les out. He was basically robbed of his business and livelihood. Remarkably, he did not fight back or bring legal action. His reason was simple, as he expressed to his family: the Word of God tells us to turn the other cheek, and God will provide for us. In the years that followed, Les was able to start a new business that eventually was successful. And through this, God provided for Les and his wife in their final years. After he sold his business upon retirement, they were able to move into a specialized senior health center to care for growing health challenges. God indeed was faithful to his Word.
Paul asks, “Why not just accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated?” (1 Corinthians 6.7) Because we live in God’s different realm, and we can trust his power to provide.
What does this require of us? To believe and obey.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus describes a different way of living, “Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” As we have seen, Jesus said provocative things to make a contrast – to challenge us to trust and obey God, and to follow his ways.
Jesus gives us the ultimate example to follow. He did not demand what was his by rights, but trusted the Father with his life and mission. As the Son of God, he was rightfully worthy of worship and respect and honor and praise! But, Jesus allowed his own people to reject him, falsely accuse him, and to lead him to his death. Jesus, “though he was God, did not demand and cling to his rights as God.” Why?
He believed his Father and obeyed him. He entrusted his Father with everything. He “humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him…Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Philippians 2.8-9, Hebrews 12.2)
This Lent, ask the Father how he wants us to live an “upside down” life, trusting in him for our security and provision.
And ask for his grace to obey when he asks us to make seemingly radical changes, or to respond in nonsensical ways, knowing he can be trusted.
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