Jesus was introducing his followers to life in a realm wholly other than this present world. It’s as though he is explaining how things work in, say, Indonesia, what laws you need to know to live there. This “kingdom” life of God he was preparing them for is both contiguous with the sense-known world, and is its own realm, perceivable by faith. We can decide whether or not we want to go – but if we want to follow Jesus, that’s where we’re going, and we need to learn the ways of that place, the Realm of God.
And in that realm, he says, we don’t fight back.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also…”
How are we to live in this world if we just accept attacks and don’t respond? What about self-defense? What about victims of abuse? I don’t hear Jesus saying you can’t defend yourself or those you love. But I do hear him ruling out retaliation, which is hard enough for us on a human level. I sense his invitation to go deeper in conflicted situations, to respond in a counter-intuitive way, meeting aggression not with force, but with manoeuvers that use the attacker’s force, the way certain martial arts moves work. Or the classic, opening a door someone’s trying to force open, so they fall into the room. Jesus’ battle with Satan can be viewed in that light…
I believe Jesus sets us a higher goal: the transformation of our attackers. As frightening as that prospect may be, we have stories in our own time of quite extraordinary courage resulting in even more amazing outcomes. I was reminded of the story of Ashley Smith, the Georgia woman taken captive by a fugitive on trial for rape. Despite the risk, she managed to reach his humanity by being human herself, making him eggs, reading to him from The Purpose-Driven Life, sharing her own story of transformation and healing with him. (Here is a transcript of Smith’s whole story – truly amazing )
I pray none of us is faced with circumstances that dramatic or criminal, though we may encounter attack as we stand up for what we believe. Whenever we are hurt, we face the choice whether or not to retaliate. Are there some times when you have? Are there times when you were aware of making a different choice? Are you faced with that choice in any circumstances in your life today, to hit back or to absorb and transform?
One way we can live into this command to not resist evildoers, is to ask the Holy Spirit to be right there with us when we feel attacked. In the Spirit’s power we might even see those who oppose us with compassion, even pray for their wholeness. And who knows what marvels God might work from such a prayer, as turning the other cheek brings about a turn of heart.
How are we to live in this world if we just accept attacks and don’t respond? What about self-defense? What about victims of abuse? I don’t hear Jesus saying you can’t defend yourself or those you love. But I do hear him ruling out retaliation, which is hard enough for us on a human level. I sense his invitation to go deeper in conflicted situations, to respond in a counter-intuitive way, meeting aggression not with force, but with manoeuvers that use the attacker’s force, the way certain martial arts moves work. Or the classic, opening a door someone’s trying to force open, so they fall into the room. Jesus’ battle with Satan can be viewed in that light…
I believe Jesus sets us a higher goal: the transformation of our attackers. As frightening as that prospect may be, we have stories in our own time of quite extraordinary courage resulting in even more amazing outcomes. I was reminded of the story of Ashley Smith, the Georgia woman taken captive by a fugitive on trial for rape. Despite the risk, she managed to reach his humanity by being human herself, making him eggs, reading to him from The Purpose-Driven Life, sharing her own story of transformation and healing with him. (Here is a transcript of Smith’s whole story – truly amazing )
I pray none of us is faced with circumstances that dramatic or criminal, though we may encounter attack as we stand up for what we believe. Whenever we are hurt, we face the choice whether or not to retaliate. Are there some times when you have? Are there times when you were aware of making a different choice? Are you faced with that choice in any circumstances in your life today, to hit back or to absorb and transform?
One way we can live into this command to not resist evildoers, is to ask the Holy Spirit to be right there with us when we feel attacked. In the Spirit’s power we might even see those who oppose us with compassion, even pray for their wholeness. And who knows what marvels God might work from such a prayer, as turning the other cheek brings about a turn of heart.
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