even stevens

Teaching about Revenge

38 "You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: `An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.'s39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too.41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile,s carry it two miles.42 Give to those who ask, and don't turn away from those who want to borrow.

matthew 5

this is hard. like, really, really hard. to not do anything when someone wrongs you. wait, i take that back, i mean, to actually turn the other cheek when someone wrongs you. why? why in the world would we do such a thing? it sounds like crazy talk! we're supposed to get revenge. that's just the way the world works! that's how we were made! there's just something inside of us that wants to get even with people! to even out the score! but here's God saying, "don't! stop in your tracks! turn the other cheek!" why?? i've used this argument before. because He did the same for us. i've cursed His name before. i've screamed at Him to get out of my life and leave me alone. and i think a lot of us have probably done worse. and what does He do? does He curse my name? does He try to hurt me intentionally to get back at me? what about the people who crucified His son? what did God do to them? did He capture, make fun of, torture, and then crucify their sons and daughters? no. He sent His son to die FOR them. God had every right to get revenge. didn't He? and yet, He chose to die for me. so i could have a relationship with Him. so i could know Him. see Him. feel Him. maybe it's the same now for us. that we should reflect the Father's love for others. in not seeking revenge but pouring out love on those who have wronged us so that they, too can have a relationship with us and a relationship with God. maybe by going the extra mile and taking the high road can help them see God's love in us. and here we're presented with another difficult but effective way of glorifying God. nobody said living for Jesus would be easy. =]

side note: Jesus is NOT saying we shouldn't defend ourselves in harmful and potentially dangerous situations. =]