butt naked

Thursday February 24th, Matthew 5: 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 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. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. The laws of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth were meant to limit revenge reactions. In a community, it stopped the Hatfields and McCoys from taking it out on each other for generation upon generation. All too often however Jesus’ but I tell you in this text has been used as justification for victimization. Walter Wink unpacks this text in a way that gives us a glimpse of Jesus third way. (http://www.cpt.org/files/BN%20-%20Jesus%27%20Third%20Way.pdf) Turning the other cheek was a challenge to the master who would abuse the slave. Giving over your coat might leave you butt naked, but the whole community who was judging you is caused to confront their own sin. And walking two miles instead of one will make the whole battalion of solders forcing you to do so nervously expend their energy wondering what you might be up to. For a full understanding of this read the linked article by Walter Wink.