Re: Verse reading–Matthew 5:17-48 (day seven)
“Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also”–v 39.
His words must have been hard to hear. Charismatic young preacher. Rumors of miracles. Suddenly, He begins to talk about turning the other cheek.
It sounded illogical. Impossible. Impractical. Both then and now.
“Isn’t this a formula for enabling bullies and con men?” they protested! It just sounded wrong.
But Jesus wasn’t giving a new Law. He was telling them/us that the old Law had to be interpreted by looking at the heart–the presence or the absence of love.
Do you love the bully? Do you love others that he may be hurting? Is love how you reach your decision? Are you willing to sacrifice personal pride for a larger, better solution?
Not a new Law. Insight into the old Law. The question that matters is, “What does love look like?”
