Bless them that curse you- Christ, Luke 6:28A
There is a good deal of discussion circulating in America at this point over the quote from Jesus, The Christ, recorded in Luke chapter 6 verse 28A: Bless them that curse you.
This passage is often tossed around and brought up by persons wishing to dissuade violence. The passage continues with admonitions to pray for those persons which despitefully use you, and if someone smacks or hits you in the face you should offer them to hit the other side of your face. This is where the term, “turn the other cheek,” comes from. It continues to say if Someone steals your clothes you should offer them your coat too. It even says if someone borrows things or money from you then you should not ask for them to return what they took.
Believe it or not, this is the passage where, “The Golden Rule,” comes from. Yes, that comes from (loosely interpreted) the Bible. Luke 6:31: “And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.”
Luke 6:31 KJV
Now that we have placed the phrase in a modest set of context, allow me to make some observations.
This passage does not advocate for weakness. Quite the contrary. Allow me to tell a short story to illustrate.
A small framed Mother, holding her set of toddler’s hands, walking down the street is accosted by a gaggle of Thugs. They begin harassing the small family and demand the woman remove her clothes, hand over her purse and surrender her children. When she does not, the lead hyena smacks her face, he then laughs, pleased with his wit, and says the Bible tells her to be a good little girl and she should give them all they ask and turn her other cheeks to be smacked as well.
About that time a group of Teen Boy Atheletes happen upon the scene. The starting Center, the captain of the football team and leader of the group steps up to the Lady and inquires as to her wellbeing.
She recounts her experience. The Center steps up to the Thugs and declares his intention to be a stand-in for the small family. “Tell ya what, smack my cheek instead.” The Thug takes a shot and catches the young man square, palm open of course, he may be a Thug but he is not stupid.
The Center turns his face, slowly, keeping his eyes peeled for threatening movements. But the Thug has received the message, he is out of his league against this physical specimen.
As the group of Athletes form a semi-circle around the Thugs. Some gestures and jeering take flight as the pack of hyenas back away in cowardice, attempting to retain some self respect, but they wisely choose to make an exit.
The Center, when the coast is clear, turns to the Mother. He bends down and addresses the Toddlers, admiring their bravery. One of the Tots pipes up, I’ll smack your cheek, Mister.
The Center leans in and takes the small affliction from the soft hand as he knows it will aid in relieving the high tension surrounding the situation. The other Toddler steps up to take her shot and the young man turns his face for her to make the most of the opportunity.
What we see is the understanding we are not to sacrifice ourselves to the whims of the Ne’re do wells. On the contrary, we are to show our strength by knowing what is truly valuable and making our actions follow accordingly. The value is not in money, power, prestige, clothes, goods or things. It is building value inside of ourselves. Being valuable to others and bringing that value out into reality is true value.
To elude back to the story above, if the young Mother had turned the other cheek it would have been a sign of capitulation. She would be giving in to the demands of an evil doer.
When the strapping young man took the hit and turned to offer his other cheek it was a sign of power. As if to say, “is that all you have?”
If you are capitulating from a position of weakness do not dignify your cowardice by saying you were obeying your Lord. That is a disgrace.
If you allow yourself to lose a thing to show strength and bring honor to the name of Christ as a strong tower we can run to and be safe, well done.
It behooves me to end by pointing to the promise associated with these instructions.
“But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”
Luke 6:35-38 KJV
For the record, what it means when it says, “For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”
Is that you will receive what you gave… that goes for good and for evil. This is why it is important for you to do good so you can receive good in return.