Read Matthew 5:38-42
Are You Playing Head Games With Me?
I like this passage because it has an element of “playing head games” with your enemy because you are doing what they aren’t expecting. Jesus starts by quoting Leviticus 24:20 where it says, “you have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth,’ but I say to you…” This law was meant to be carried out within the court system. It was not meant to be how people handled their disputes with one another on a personal level. But it ended up becoming that way. “You break my nose, I’ll break yours and then some!” We see this thought process in our world today. A gang member shoots an opposing gang member. Which results in killings back and forth.
But Jesus instructed people to respond in ways that didn’t seem to make sense. But actually has the power to diffuse a disrespectful, or hateful, or angered, or hostile situation.
Retaliating with hate and revenge only ignites a bad situation into an even worse situation. The goal is to diffuse such a situation. Jesus gave 4 examples that if we follow them, they could open the door for reconciliation, regrets from our enemy, and even gain their respect.
1. Jesus said, “Do not resist him who is evil, but if someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
In those days, a slap was not an attack to kill, but a slap was an insult. One could be fined for such an act. But turning the other cheek messes with the person’s head. They are waiting for your response. They are expecting the situation to escalate and they are on the defense. But you give them the other cheek. The first slap was easy because they felt justified, but the second slap is not as easy, because now they don’t feel justified.
2. Jesus said, “If someone sues you for your shirt, give him your coat also.”
The one who sues may feel justified with their action, but when you give them beyond what they asked, you open the door for them to feel guilty. Especially if you give your coat because without your shirt and coat you are left with nothing.
3. Jesus said, “If someone forces you to go 1 mile, go 2 miles.” It was common for Roman soldiers to force a person to carry their weapons or shield for a mile. Can you imagine how blown away they would be if after a mile you said, I’ll carry it one more mile, and did so with a joyful heart? Trust me, you would gain their respect. They would treat you differently.
4. Jesus said, “Give to him who asks of you or wants to borrow from you.” Jesus may have been alluding to Deuteronomy 15:7 for God’s people were commanded to help the poor and needy. In fact, 1st Timothy 6:18 says we are to be generous and ready to share. Is this meant strictly for the real needy people? What about scam artists who lie in order to get money versus getting a job? I feel I need to be wise and evaluate each situation and determine what the real need is and then offer my services.
Hope this is thought provoking.
I’d love to get some feedback on this.
