The noting of "turning the other cheek" stems from Matthew 5:39 (also Luke 6:29 in some translations). Not too long ago, I was thinking about the phrase "turn the other cheek." I don't think that Jesus intended for us to subject ourselves to wanton abuse. He did, after all, instruct his disciples to shake the dust from their sandals if a town does not receive them. He didn't tell them to retaliate, but he didn't tell them to remain in a hostile situation.
So what does this have to do with turning the other cheek? Maybe the idea is that we should deflect the blow, but not retaliate. Instead of standing there in defiance to the punch, why not turn your head in the direction opposite the blow. If you are about to be hit on the right cheek, turn your left cheek away from the blow. Deflect the brunt, absorbe the rest. Be at peace with yourself, knowing that you did what you could do and do not allow yourself to be provoked to negative actions. So, turn the other cheek away from the attack. Maintain the peace and do not retaliate so that you may act in love and turn away wrath with your soft response.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
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