Matthew 5:38-42
An eye for an eye---or walk two miles and give, when someone wants to borrow.
Look at this passage in The Message. Don’t hit back. If someone drags you to court and sues for the shirt off your back, gift wrap your best coat and make a present of it. Live generously.
Can you imagine the look on someone’s face if they were suing you and you gave them a gift of your best coat—in a fancy gift wrap—with a smile on your face. Maybe humbling to them.
Don’t hit back---turn your cheek. When I was in 6th grade and playing tetherball I accidently hit a girl in the face with the ball. She had just had this lesson at her church so she grabbed the ball and said, “Hit me again with it---only on this side,” pointing to the other side of her face. I said, “No. I don’t want to hurt you.” She kept insisting and put the ball in my hands, saying “It says to do this in the Bible.” So I did –but I didn’t throw it at her hard. Then we both laughed. She was satisfied. We went on to play tetherball again---and she won that game and many more. She was a tough kid. She moved away before the year was over and I don’t know whatever became of her. The tetherball game that day was a good lesson for both of us.
Turn the other cheek. Don’t get mad and try to get even. Forgive offenses. It’s OK to just let someone know---Hey that hurt, but I forgive you. That maybe the same as turning the other cheek. How are you at turning the other cheek? Have you ever had to actually do that?
Lord, help us to turn the other cheek to those who offend us. Help us to live generousl and let your will be done in our lives.
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