Turn The Other Cheek

Have you ever been frustrated by the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 5 about turning the other cheek? So if I get punched in the face, I'm supposed to let my attacker punch me again? Is that really what it's saying? This is just the beginning of people not understanding exactly what is being taught. Just because I'm a Christian does not mean I have to let people walk all over me. Let's look at the context...

When Jesus speaks in Scripture (words in red), you have to understand that His audience are Jews. They are Jews who are living under the Mosaic law. That is, the 10 commandments and the 613 other laws that the Jews put into place to 'keep' one holy. (365 laws of things not to do, 248 laws of things they are to do). Talk about a list of rules! Therefore, when Jesus starts talking about turning the other cheek, these Jews would have known exactly what He was talking about. In this culture, the cheek was the symbol of relationship. To kiss one's cheek was a sign of peace and fellowship. To strike someone in the face meant that you were attacking the relationship. This is why in some cultures still today, to slap someone in the face is the ultimate sign of disrespect. When slapped, you were no longer friends. How dare someone disrespect you like that! But what Jesus is teaching is actually offensive to this crowd because He was challenging their pride and forgiveness. To turn the cheek meant to re offer the relationship. This kind of grace was unheard of! In fact, isn't it odd that Judas kissed Jesus on the cheek (a sign of peace and fellowship) when he was actually coming to betray Him. Have you ever noticed Jesus' response? In Matthew 26:50 Jesus says, "Do what you came for, friend." What?! Jesus calls Judas: friend?! If you didn't understand the meaning behind turning the other cheek, you would have missed Jesus doing so right here in this verse. The moment Judas goes to betray Jesus, Jesus still offers him grace. Jesus turned the other cheek immediately. Jesus re offered him the relationship right there on the spot. Notice that Judas was so filled with shame and condemnation that he missed the grace that God was offering. It wasn't that God didn't forgive Judas, it was that Judas couldn't forgive himself. This is where many Christians live today...

Understanding that the cheek was a symbol of relationship will help you understand exactly what Jesus was teaching these Jews in this culture and how this applies to us today. Grace is a beautiful thing because we do nothing to earn it. God is constantly turning His cheek to us as His grace covers us daily. Where in your life do you need to be offering grace to others? Or as Jesus would say, "where do you need to turn the other cheek?"