If there is a part of the Sermon on the Mount which ruffles most of our feathers surely this is the one. What does Jesus really mean here? Is he asking me to be a doormat and to place myself in a position of potential abuse? The simple answer is no, but he is challenging us to live the way of the upside down kingdom.

‍

Eye for eye and tooth for tooth comes from the Old Testament. More specifically it’s from Leviticus 24:17–21 and Deuteronomy 19:14–21. The intent of the lex talionis, or law of retaliation, as it came to be called, was that reciprocity would be achieved through equalisation. In other words, do unto others what they just did to you and get even, but don’t do more to them or their family. In ancient times, this was pretty radical. It’s important to remember that these laws were relating to personal injuries, not institutional or social evils. Jesus is not saying that countries should not defend themselves from attack nor should abuse be endorsed and encouraged. But for individuals his words describe the type of people the kingdom produces.

‍

Jesus has already taught and explained that anger, contempt, and absorbing desire must be dealt with so that our lives are not being run by them. If they occasionally test us, this is only natural. But they do not control us and leave us unable to reliably and happily carry through with our sober intention to do what is good.

‍

As people shaped by Jesus in the kingdom of God how should we expect to respond to personal affronts, injuries, and impositions? Jesus mentions four different types of kingdom responses:

‍

We are to turn the other cheek. So long as it relates to myself and me alone, Jesus never says to turn someone else’s cheek. Personally, I am to become the sort of person who is willing to remain vulnerable and be willing to offer even more than I have been asked. Jesus says let them have your shirt and coat also if they need it. This is coming from a place of genuine interest in another persons needs.

‍

If a policeman required you to go a mile for them, Jesus suggests if it is possible, offer to go even further. This is simply because the posture of your heart as a kingdom living Christian is to help when required plus some. And if someone asks you for something, most of the time if it’s at all possible, see if you can do it.

‍

These are all illustrations of what a certain kind of person, the kingdom person, will characteristically do in such situations. They are not laws of “righteous behaviour” for those personally imposed upon or injured. They are not laws to be potentially obeyed in the wrong spirit so we can turn the other cheek, then knock their head off! This is how Christians treat people in the kingdom of the heavens.

‍

As we act like this, a powerful dynamic is begun. An angry person is not given the feedback loop of more and more aggression and typically they will be forced to reflect on their own actions leading usually to conviction of sin.

‍

Jesus is in no way condoning abuse or self harm thorough allowing a person to mistreat you indefinitely or even at all. With clarity of mind and eyes open, we are called to act with resolute love for all concerned. Love involves truth with grace, a byproduct of becoming the sort of person who represents Christ in all they do.