About Turning The Other Cheek
Luke 22:35-38 NKJV
35 And He said to them, "When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?"
So they said, "Nothing."
36 Then He said to them, "But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. 37 For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: 'And He was numbered with the transgressors.' For the things concerning Me have an end."
38 So they said, "Lord, look, here are two swords."
And He said to them, "It is enough."
It seems that people who do not have a relationship with the Lord still like to quote Him. They quote things like cleanliness is next to godliness. Actually, that is not a verse. Or, Jesus said, love and accept everyone. Jesus actually did not say that either. Then there's you are supposed to forgive me. That'ssomeone using Jesus to excuse their behavior. And my favorite, that you are supposed to turn the other cheek. Because that is a verse, let's talk about it.
Jesus was talking with His disciples about life after He had gone back to heaven. This is preparation for their ministry after the cross and the resurrection. When Jesus was on earth, the disciples went out without taking extra supplies or money. And they did not lack anything. But after the resurrection, things were going to change. Now Jesus was telling His guys to take their money bags and knapsacks. Oh, and take your sword. If you don't have a sword, sell a garment and buy one. Wait, what? Buy a sword? Why would they need to buy a sword if the only defense these disciples possessed was to turn the other cheek? This is the challenge of taking a verse and making an entire doctrine around it.
"But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also." Matthew 5:39 NLT. Slapping on the cheek is not the same thing as an attack by robbers on the road. This is an insulting action; done to a person you are in relationship with. Your life is not in danger. The idea is that you are not going to respond by slapping this person back harder. You are going to take the high road and offer the other cheek, thus adopting a more advanced response to an insult. How do you deal with someone who refuses to slap you back?
The sword would be for the disciples to use on the road in the event they were attacked by lawless people. The disciples needed means of protecting themselves. I am sure the argument will be that the disciples should just trust God. And I am sure there was serious prayer when they were heading out on the road. But a sword was for self-defense. When the disciples told Jesus there were two swords in their collective possession, notice what Jesus did not say. He did not say, "How dare you bring a sword when we are supposed to be all about turning the other cheek?" He did not tell them to get rid of the swords. He simply replied with, "It is enough."
Application
Some people have taken Matthew 5:39 to mean that they could never defend themselves. I asked the church one Wednesday night how they would feel if someone broke into my house and hurt Joy right in front of me while I simply turned the other cheek? You could hear the murmur in the crowd. There would be no way they would want to attend a church where the pastor allowed his wife to be hurt while he did nothing about it. And I wouldn't blame them. That is just not right. Turning the other cheek does not mean forfeiting our rights to protect our loved ones and belongings.
I have yet to face a situation where someone has slapped my face. So I am hard-pressed to say my first response is to turn the other cheek. But I have been slapped verbally and with the written word. Turning the other cheek was not easy, but by not responding, that is exactly what I was doing. Did it feel good? No, but it was the right thing to do. So I put my sword down and said nothing. Just kidding. Jesus did not leave us at the mercy of lawless people. And He asks us to show mercy to those we are in relationship with.