Bible Passage: “But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.” (Matthew 5:39 NIV)
Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:9-15
Jesus makes an incredible statement in today’s passage.
Isn’t this a recipe for abuse?
Well, I don’t know if Jesus was giving boxing lessons here.
I think He was saying that you give the person another chance.
This feels incredibly risky. And if we are in this world alone with no Heavenly Father watching over us, it really is risky.
But if we have a Father who sees everything, loves justice, and commands us to turn the other cheek, men can trust that He will work it out and make things right.
There was no greater model for this than Jesus Himself.
Of His twelve disciples, one betrayed Him, one denied Him, and the rest abandoned Him.
But on the morning of His resurrection, His first instructions were to tell the disciples that He was going ahead of them and would meet them again (Matthew 28:7). He was willing to open His life up to them again.
Would they ever fail Him again? You bet they would.
I am a man just like them. I have failed Jesus so many times, yet His posture towards me is always one of forgiveness.
I don’t know where I’d be without His forgiveness.
We are to treat our enemies the same way. Will we remember the offense? Depending on the size of it, we may never forget it. But that doesn’t mean we can’t forgive it.
I think about it this way: I know I had an electricity bill last November. And I know that I paid that bill. But I couldn’t tell you how much the bill was.
Forgiveness doesn’t always forget that there was an offense, but it does free you from dwelling on it—you know it has been covered.
Prayer: Dear Lord, forgiveness feels so difficult. I really don’t like taking a loss. I want revenge. But You showed forgiveness to me and continue to show it. Please give me Your help to forgive those who have hurt me. I know forgiving my enemy will likely do more for me than for them. It will set me free! It will release me from the damaging hold of bitterness. Jesus, You are the great forgiver, and You live in me. Help me to allow Your forgiveness to flow through me—even to my enemies. Amen.
Reflection: Is there someone you don’t want to forgive right now? How does bitterness affect your life? How might forgiveness set you free?
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