The beloved physician Luke shared how Jesus said, “woe unto you that are rich! for you have received your consolation. Woe unto you that are full! for you shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for you shall mourn and weep. Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you ....”, and in chapter six and verse twenty-nine of his book Luke shares how Jesus said, “unto him that smites you on the one cheek, offer also the other” where we read:
And unto him that smites you on the one cheek offer also the other;
and him that takes away your cloak forbid not to take your coat also.
The verse reads, “And unto him that smites you on the one cheek offer also the other;” Luke began with the words, “and unto him” or “and toward the person whether male or female” “that smites you on the one cheek” which means “who strikes, beats and whips with the fist or hand one of the physical cheeks of Jesus' disciples” “offer also the other” or “reach forth, afford, supply and cause even so and indeed the other cheek as well”. Luke shared how Jesus told the disciples listening to Him when they are “slapped” or “hit” upon their “one cheek”, they were to “present their other cheek” to be struck as well.
The verse goes on to say, “and him that takes away your cloak forbid not to take your coat also.” Luke continued with the words, “and him that takes away your cloak” which means “and the person who removes and carries away Jesus' disciple's upper garment or tunic” “forbid not to take your coat also” or “do not hinder or refuse that person from removing and carrying away Jesus' disciple's undergarment or vestment as well. Luke shared how Jesus said when a person “took” one of His disciple's outer garment, they were not to prevent them from removing their inner garment as well.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn another principle given to Jesus' disciples which is contrary to the “natural way” people live. Rather than “fighting” or “arguing” with someone who “takes” something from them or “slaps” them on the “cheek”, Jesus' disciples were to “give them” even more. This is only possible when a person has a personal relationship with Jesus, and by the power of the Holy Spirit they obey His words. People take advantage of others, and because they do so in spite and dominion, Jesus gave His disciples a different way to react to them. God's Kingdom is spiritual and eternal, and when physical “temporal” things are “taken away” or “struck” by others, those who align with Jesus will release them and demonstrate the eternal nature in which they live.
Next time Luke shares how Jesus says, “give to every man that asks of you”, 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
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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