I had a thing I was going to post about, and then I realized that it is Sunday night and I still need to do some study before that one is ready, so I have something else instead.
“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise."
(Luke 6:27-31)
I have often heard the expression, "You don't have to be a doormat," used to encourage people to take care of themselves. I agree with it on the one hand, but I have, for a long time, believed that that attitude can be a little bit dangerous.
Jesus modelled for us the life we need to live, and He was not afraid to wash feet. He became humble to the point of dying on a cross for the sake of relationship with people who MOCKED Him.
Jesus did not protect Himself from that, He became the epitome of a "doormat." Those who followed Him also showed radical humility in the way they lived their lives.
Needless to say, I have always read that verse in Luke 6 to affirm my stance on the idea, which I do think still, but I have a new insight on it now.
Imagine this scenario.
I hit you.
You turn the other cheek to me, "Thanks, I love getting hit! Please hit the other also!" You reply.
No. That's not how it works.
Why are you turning the other cheek to me?
Because you are a follower of Christ, and you know that Christ created me in His image. A pure image, a perfect image, a holy image, one that does not strike someone if everything is okay.
Everything is not okay, and you know that.
Instead the scenario is more like this,
I hit you.
You turn the other cheek to me. "I'm sorry that you are hurting, and I know that's why you hurt me. Please hit my other cheek also, if it will help. I want to be the one to bear your burden with you. You took my cloak, allow me to give you my other also, I want to help you."
I had never seen it that way before, but it's more inspiring, I think.
If I am hurt, and because of it someone is saved, I will willingly be hurt.
If I am slandered, and because of it someone grows closer to Jesus, I will willingly bear that shame.
This is what turning the other cheek about. It's not about being trampled on, it's about loving so much that we are willing to be trampled on.
After all, we were the ones who mocked as Jesus laid down His life. If we love like that, we are only giving the kind of love that was already given to us.
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
(Luke 6:27-31)
I have often heard the expression, "You don't have to be a doormat," used to encourage people to take care of themselves. I agree with it on the one hand, but I have, for a long time, believed that that attitude can be a little bit dangerous.
Jesus modelled for us the life we need to live, and He was not afraid to wash feet. He became humble to the point of dying on a cross for the sake of relationship with people who MOCKED Him.
Jesus did not protect Himself from that, He became the epitome of a "doormat." Those who followed Him also showed radical humility in the way they lived their lives.
Needless to say, I have always read that verse in Luke 6 to affirm my stance on the idea, which I do think still, but I have a new insight on it now.
Imagine this scenario.
I hit you.
You turn the other cheek to me, "Thanks, I love getting hit! Please hit the other also!" You reply.
No. That's not how it works.
Why are you turning the other cheek to me?
Because you are a follower of Christ, and you know that Christ created me in His image. A pure image, a perfect image, a holy image, one that does not strike someone if everything is okay.
Everything is not okay, and you know that.
Instead the scenario is more like this,
I hit you.
You turn the other cheek to me. "I'm sorry that you are hurting, and I know that's why you hurt me. Please hit my other cheek also, if it will help. I want to be the one to bear your burden with you. You took my cloak, allow me to give you my other also, I want to help you."
I had never seen it that way before, but it's more inspiring, I think.
If I am hurt, and because of it someone is saved, I will willingly be hurt.
If I am slandered, and because of it someone grows closer to Jesus, I will willingly bear that shame.
This is what turning the other cheek about. It's not about being trampled on, it's about loving so much that we are willing to be trampled on.
After all, we were the ones who mocked as Jesus laid down His life. If we love like that, we are only giving the kind of love that was already given to us.
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
