“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.” (Matthew 5:38-39)
“Return good for evil, kindness for unkindness, forgiveness for transgressions— is that possible without becoming a victim?
So, how do we turn the other cheek? Jesus’ own life shows us that this teaching is not to be taken literally. When one of the officers, taking exception to Jesus’ reply to the high priest, struck Jesus on his face, He didn’t strike back. Neither did He turn His head literally to show the other cheek. Rather, He asked the officer: “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?” (John 18:19-24).
‘Turning the other cheek’ means not desiring any calamities to come upon those who treat us harshly or take advantage of us. Instead, we return good for evil, kindness for unkindness, forgiveness for transgressions. For instance, in the Bible, the Syrian Army didn’t return to Israel after being treated kindly. Turning the other cheek brings peace to those who live it, and by extension peace in general.
‘Eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth’ may be appealing to the senses and quickly gratifying, but it’s destructive for self and others. Anyone can love those who love them but can we “love our enemies, bless those who curse us, do good to those who hate us, and pray for those who spitefully use us…” as in Luke 6: 27-28?
If we do these, we are turning the other cheek. Thus, we become children of God. Jesus likened it to the sun that shines on all and the rain that falls on all. Matthew 5:45 says, “He makes the sun rise on both the evil and the good.”
Edgar Cayce says that Jesus didn’t give ‘wealth or fame or fortune,’ but ‘the fortunes of suffering, the fortunes of service, the fortunes of turning the other cheek.’ And through these teachings, ‘to the heart and the soul, He brought a light that faileth not, a water that is living, a home that is eternal, a bread that is indeed a staff of life!’ (1152-4)
Some have found a way to maintain their composure when facing insults and disagreements, but internally they might experience animosity, hold a grudge, or want to get even. Those who turn the other cheek have spiritualized their desire for vengeance, and hence no such feelings arise in them. Love begets love and kindness begets kindness. What we wish upon others is visited upon us. It’s the Law.”
EdgarCayce.org, Jerry Lazarus, Venture Inward, p. 47.
