In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says, “If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also.” (- Mt. 6:39)
It seems to me that if we live by this saying we don’t have to get so upset with those who slight us in some way. We can take it in stride as opposed to going ballistic.
We don’t have to get mad at customer service representatives who mistreat us. Maybe they’re just having a bad day. Or maybe they truly are rude or inept at what they’re doing, but why should we allow it to ruin our day? What kind of people are we when we get upset about inconsequential matters?
Of course, if the person who slights us is a person with whom we have dealings daily as opposed to once in a life time, and if the insults are routine, we may need to point out to the person what he or she is doing and how we feel about it. Jesus isn’t telling us here to be a doormat.
Indeed, what’s the context for this teaching? “If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also,” is preceded by, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not respond in kind.” (My translation)
Jesus is giving us a better way of handling insults than responding in kind. Take it in stride. Walk away from it. Forget and forgive. Choose the better way.-DJ
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