“If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5:39)
Today’s verse is well-known, but extremely challenging. In Jesus’ days, slapping someone on the cheek was a dire affront, an intentional insult. Nowadays people might rather use verbal insults instead of slapping, but the resulting embarrassment is the same. Our natural reaction is to slap back, to get really annoyed and to tell the other person exactly what we think about their behavior – and about themselves, for that matter.
Jesus doesn’t forbid us to defend ourselves against violence or to escape a dangerous situation (see e.g. Luke 12:11-12, John 8:59 and 10:39). But He commands us to respond lovingly to insults and hostility. This is practical advice, since such a gentle attitude can often prevent things getting worse. But it is far more than that. This commission is rooted in the central commandment to love others as we love ourselves (Galatians 5:14). Jesus Himself is the best example here. “When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:23).
How do you react to personal insults?