Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciple's if their “righteousness” did not “exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees” they would, “in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus then shared about “murder and adultery” and He told His disciples, “Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black.” Jesus continued, “But let your communication be, Yes, yes; No, no: for whatsoever is more than these comes of evil.” Jesus added, “You have heard that it has been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth”, and in chapter five and verse thirty-nine of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples to “turn the other cheek” where we read:
But I say unto you, That you resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite you on your right cheek,
turn to him the other also.
The verse reads, “ But I say unto you, That you resist not evil:” Matthew began with the word, “But” which means “moreover and” “I say” which means “Jesus utters, declares and proclaims” “unto you” or “toward His disciples”,“that you resist not” which means “that the disciples do not withstand of oppose” “evil” which refers to “labors, annoyances, hardships, toils, perils, bad, disease and wickedness”. Jesus told His disciples not to “oppose, resist or withstand” “bad and wickedness”.
The verse continues, “but whosoever shall smite you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.” Matthew added the word, “but” which means “nevertheless, notwithstanding, nay, rather and moreover” “whosoever” or “whatever person or anyone” “shall smite you” which means “will strike, hit, rap or slap the disciples” “on your right cheek” or “upon the right jaw or jaw bone of the face”, “turn to him” which means “twist and move toward the person who smites” “the other also” or “in addition the other jaw or jaw bone”. Jesus told His disciples to “turn their other cheek” toward a person who “strikes” them on the opposite one.
When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we may wonder how the disciples or anyone for that matter shall be able to keep this directive. Whenever a person is struck or hurt, their natural desire is retribution, not further abuse. However, Jesus knew this idea would stun those who were listening to Him, and their need for a “Savior” and “Lord” would be heightened even more at this point. Only Jesus is able to help someone accomplish this directive, and those who yield their lives to Him shall find power to do things they never imagined they could do.
Next time Jesus tells His disciples what to do, “if any man sue you at the law, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
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Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
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