TAKE BLOWS WITHOUT RETURNING THEM
MATTHEW: 5: “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; 40 and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; 41 and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile.
BACKGROUND ON TEXT This text is a part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount dialogue which is extraordinary for its ethical and moral content.
TEXTUAL POINTS OF INTEREST Turning the other cheek Coat / Cloak Taking the next mile
POINTS OF INTEREST SIGNIFICANCE Turning the other cheek A blow to the right cheek meant that the person hit you with their left hand In those days, the left had was considered unclean. Most avoided using their left hand Other than using a left hand the abuser would have had to use their back hand. The back hand was not meant to do harm, it was an insult – a humiliating reminder of powerlessness and inferior status.
POINTS OF INTEREST SIGNIFICANCE CONT. Coat / Cloak Most Jews only had outer and inner garment They used the outer garment the coat/cloak to pawn when they were in need of additional funds To give up the cloak was giving up what they had left of value
POINTS OF INTEREST SIGNIFICANCE CONT. Taking the next mile There was a practice by some Roman soldiers called angareia to have a Jewish subjects carry their load for one mile You can see this displayed in the text, Mark 15:21 with Simon of Cyrene
HOW WE UNDERSTAND THE TEXT Most would interpret the text and the acts included thereof as Jesus engaging in political teachings of PASSIVE non- violence. Turn The Other Cheek This leading perception of PASSIVITY is revealed in the text, “But if anyone who strikes you in the right cheek, turn to the other also,”
TO WHOM WAS JESUS SPEAKING? Was this message for those that were abusing others? He was speaking to those that were being abused However, Jesus’ message was not to maintain a position of powerlessness; but in their current position to take possession of the circumstances and assume a position of power without striking back Therefore, by turning the other cheek the abused is making a bold statement of assuming control in the midst of a presumed powerless situation.
CONCLUSION Empowering the abused by having them take an offensive position The other cheek Cloak The next mile
INQUIRY QUESTION: One concentrates of the literal meanings of the scriptural text.; however, there are much more that goes into interpretation and understanding. The literal understanding of this text would dictate a PASSIVE position; but Jesus was empowering those without control. There is a need to go beyond the surface to obtain the appropriate understanding of the text. WHICH LEVEL OF ANALYSIS ARE WE MOST COMFORTABLE? HOW ARE WE GROWING IN OUR ANALYSIS? WHAT IN OUR EDUCATION MINISTRY IS EVIDENCE OF OUR ANALYSIS?
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