Eyes, Cheeks and Waiting on the LORD

Matthew 5:38-39 - "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I [Jesus] tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also." 

After posting my blog yesterday I cut the grass. That's when I do my best thinking. I heard a song that said: ... just the dark before the morning. The song is by Josh Wilson and it's called Before the Morning.

Like I said, I got to thinking after I had posted yesterday's blog. My thoughts continued almost as an afterthought about more that I did not say yesterday. We can go through difficult times in life. Sometimes they come little by little, sometimes in clumps, sometimes just one big misery! The Word tells us that weeping may endure for the night but joy comes in the morning. I could have sworn in the song above I heard the words "hurt comes before the healing" but I was mistaken. But I think that's also true. We can't heal unless we've been hurt.

In the Old Testament the law stated an "eye for an eye." But in the New Testament, Jesus added we are to "turn the other cheek." So what do we do? Some would say the Bible contradicts itself. I claim it does not. An eye for an eye was a law that stated that punishment should not exceed that of the offense. Jesus came and preached forgiveness and love, and we are able to do that through a closer relationship with Him. Where does revenge get us anyway? It only exacerbates the situation by riling up the one exacting the vengeance...and possibly more vengeance back...a vicious cycle that one has to put an end to...like turning the other cheek. 

God is ever our Judge. He knows all, sees all, understands our thoughts and feelings. It is up to Him to be our retribution. "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19) We are called to wait upon Him. ...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  (Isaiah 40:31) Through Him we renew our strength. Strength enough to turn the other cheek.

Turning the other cheek settles the score peacefully. Imagine how a person who had done you wrong would respond to a kind word rather than vengeance. It could provoke a feeling of shame, perhaps even asking for forgiveness. Some might say it would only make you look like a door mat. How many would openly state Jesus was a door mat with all He did for us? I think He was trying to show us that there is more strength in not retaliating than repaying evil with evil. Besides, God is the one who will bring judgment upon any wrong put upon a person. We may not see it happen, but that's where trusting Him becomes a factor. It WILL happen...sometime. And it will be an eye for an eye...God's way.

I think about people who have hurt me in my life and I don't really feel I want vengeance upon them. If a person doesn't know Jesus, we need to forgive them "for they know not what they do." If a person does know Jesus, we should forgive just the same for a lapse in judgment on their part. We're all prone in some way to messing up.

If we begin to start thinking about getting revenge, we are acting as the world would act. We are listening to the worldview and need to squelch that thought immediately. We are to be humble, not proud. Looking for payback is only our pride taking over; pride that gets at our feelings, pokes at our egos, and tells us "no one will do this to me." Yes, it hurts to know you've been wronged. That's part of the burden we bear in our lives. Look at Jesus and His life. Rejected, falsely accused, etc., etc.

Imagine on a grander scale if this world would adhere to these biblical words that today are being judged, criticized, shunned and considered offensive. If we would consider God more and ourselves with our big, fat, destructive egos less, we might have peace in this world. If we would have less tolerance (yes less) and a stronger rod on behinds maybe we would not have to worry about an eye for an eye and would feel more like turning the other cheek. 

The world once had a good example to live by, but He has been replaced with world view. Jesus humbled Himself before King Herod and the Jews prior to His death. He did not retaliate; He remained silent knowing that His Father would one day show the world the truth they ignored. He sacrificed Himself for us. He knows another day will come when He will return and judgment will take place. But it is God's judgment, not man's. There's a very huge difference. He knows how to do it with righteousness. Man's judgment doesn't always contain the righteous part. 

Jesus also knew then and knows today that if we seek Him, ask for forgiveness for the things that go against the "Jesus grain," He will be quick to respond. When we seek Him and get to knowing Him we will understand eyes, cheeks and waiting on the Lord. We will understand the things of God. 

Waiting, however, is not an easy thing and that's where we get hung up. But like Josh Wilson also wrote in his song: 

Do you wonder why you have to

feel the things that hurt you?

If there's a God who loves you

where is He now?

Or maybe there are things you can't see

and all those things are happening

to bring a better ending.

Someday, somehow you'll see….

    It might take a little time, but you'll se the bigger picture...

There's the key...waiting on the Lord because He's working things out behind the scenes of our lives. In the meantime, Jesus is here for the asking and receiving. He experienced everything we will ever go through. He will give us the strength to endure when we give ourselves into His hands, wait on Him, praise Him in difficult times and good. Then He promises us:

Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.