Turn the Other Cheek

Turn the Other Cheek

I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. — Matthew 5:39

Has someone offended you lately? Or caused you to feel hurt or resentful? It may have been something a family member said, or a comment made about you at work. Often the guilty party is unaware they’ve given offense. But when we feel offended and bear a grudge, we’re the ones who suffer, not those who have hurt us.

Let us take a leaf out of the Master’s book. On the night He was betrayed, the Lord Jesus was sitting quietly, having a meal with the disciples, when they began to argue about who would be the greatest in the kingdom of God.

Can you imagine how that must have made the Lord feel? He must have been so disappointed. For three years, He had taught them how to love, how to serve, and that the greatest should try to be the least. He also knew that that very evening Judas would betray Him for thirty pieces of silver, and that Peter soon would deny Him three times. Jesus had every reason to be offended by the behavior of His closest friends. Yet He lovingly served them.

We can so easily become angry and offended by the actions of others. But Jesus said we should turn the other cheek and lead by example, being gracious and empathetic, praying for those who have offended us, and trusting that in time their attitudes will change.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, I pray that I might think twice before I take offense at someone’s words or actions. Let everything I do be flavored with love. Help me to turn the other cheek and not to hold grudges against anyone. Amen.

Excerpted with permission from Living a Mighty Faith by Angus Buchan, copyright Angus Buchan.

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Your Turn

We don’t have to carry offenses around, heavy on our backs. Like Jesus, we can choose to look anger and hurt in the face and behave lovingly and righteously. What a challenge! Are you up for it? Come share with us on our blog. We want to hear from you! ~ Devotionals Daily