The Other Cheek & The Extra Mile

The Jesus Way
February 20, 2022

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
—Matthew 5:38-42

Lex Talionis = the law of retaliation, which states that a punishment resembles the offense committed in kind and in degree.

Anyone who injures their neighbor is to be injured in the same manner: fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. The one who has inflicted the injury must suffer the same injury. —Leviticus 23:19-20

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. —Matthew 5:38-39a

WHAT IS JESUS TEACHING US?

Jesus calls his followers to suffer personal loss and sacrifice in the name of radical love for our enemies.

Is Jesus calling me to be a

Reveal Answer

?

Was Jesus a

Reveal Answer

?

I offered my back to those who beat me,
    my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;
I did not hide my face
    from mocking and spitting.
Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,
    I will not be disgraced.
Therefore have I set my face like flint,
    and I know I will not be put to shame.
He who vindicates me is near. —Isaiah 50:6-8a

For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.
He never sinned,
    nor ever deceived anyone.
He did not retaliate when he was insulted,
    nor threaten revenge when he suffered.
He left his case in the hands of God,
    who always judges fairly. —1 Peter 2:21-23

Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, “Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?” —Matthew 26:67-68
Jesus Himself was the perfect model of this gracious response to the abuses of others. He was mocked, spat on, beaten with sticks, slapped, scourged, and nailed to a cross. Nevertheless, he endured this all without retaliation and even with forgiveness on His lips. Never is the disciple more like the Savior than when he responds to abuses graciously and without retaliation. —Chuck Quarles