Word@Work Luke88 - Luke 6:29
Published: Fri, 04/23/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
TURNING THE OTHER CHEEK
Luke 6:29 If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. (NIV)
This verse has become so famous; it has become a part of colloquial English, although most people do not know where the phrase comes from! This is the fifth of Jesus' seven sayings about the unconditional love which should characterise all the citizens of God's Kingdom: Love your enemies (v27); do good to those who hate you (v27); bless those who curse you (v28); pray for those who ill-treat you (v28); do not fight back (v29); give without demands (v29-30); treat others as you would like to be treated (v31). Before you think, "These commands are impossible", remember that Jesus demonstrated every one of them. And He certainly did not fight back.
Isaiah 53:7 says, "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth." Jesus fulfilled that prophecy. At His arrest Jesus offered no resistance; "Am I leading a rebellion," said Jesus, "that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled." (Mark 14:48-49).
The disciples, and the early churches, were expected to learn from the words and example of Jesus; and do the same. They did! They rejoiced that God had counted them worthy to suffer for Jesus' sake (Acts 5:41). Stephen was stoned to death offering no resistance (Acts 7:54-60) and James was executed (Acts 12:2). However, the church grew because their cheerful handling of persecution validated the truth about Jesus, and many others believed. So 'turning the other cheek' is not just passive acceptance of evil, but a positive statement that the truth about Jesus is too important to throw away when people get aggressive. So, how does that relate to you in the office, factory, ship, hospital, school, sales room or farm? When others demand more than they should, do you fight back; or do you let your reaction speak for Jesus?
Prayer: Loving God. Thank You that Jesus not only said the truth, but He did it too. Please forgive me when I know, and even speak, of Your love but fail to practise it. Please help me to be so secure in Your love that I will not resent injustice against myself and trust that You will demonstrate Your powerful character through my life, so that others may know that they don't have to fight for survival, but rejoice in the confidence of Your love. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
This verse has become so famous; it has become a part of colloquial English, although most people do not know where the phrase comes from! This is the fifth of Jesus' seven sayings about the unconditional love which should characterise all the citizens of God's Kingdom: Love your enemies (v27); do good to those who hate you (v27); bless those who curse you (v28); pray for those who ill-treat you (v28); do not fight back (v29); give without demands (v29-30); treat others as you would like to be treated (v31). Before you think, "These commands are impossible", remember that Jesus demonstrated every one of them. And He certainly did not fight back.
Isaiah 53:7 says, "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth." Jesus fulfilled that prophecy. At His arrest Jesus offered no resistance; "Am I leading a rebellion," said Jesus, "that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled." (Mark 14:48-49).
The disciples, and the early churches, were expected to learn from the words and example of Jesus; and do the same. They did! They rejoiced that God had counted them worthy to suffer for Jesus' sake (Acts 5:41). Stephen was stoned to death offering no resistance (Acts 7:54-60) and James was executed (Acts 12:2). However, the church grew because their cheerful handling of persecution validated the truth about Jesus, and many others believed. So 'turning the other cheek' is not just passive acceptance of evil, but a positive statement that the truth about Jesus is too important to throw away when people get aggressive. So, how does that relate to you in the office, factory, ship, hospital, school, sales room or farm? When others demand more than they should, do you fight back; or do you let your reaction speak for Jesus?
Prayer: Loving God. Thank You that Jesus not only said the truth, but He did it too. Please forgive me when I know, and even speak, of Your love but fail to practise it. Please help me to be so secure in Your love that I will not resent injustice against myself and trust that You will demonstrate Your powerful character through my life, so that others may know that they don't have to fight for survival, but rejoice in the confidence of Your love. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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