Not long ago, I was reading Matthew 5 in my Bible and said to myself, “Holy moly! The Lord is setting us straight.” I barely got through three paragraphs when I began feeling the conviction. Today, we’ll just talk about one of the paragraphs.
In Matthew 5:38-39 (NLT), Jesus says:
“You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.”
When I read this Scripture I immediately thought about how I feel when I’m driving in heavy traffic and get cut off by someone in a hurry. Or when I’m on a highway and the lane is ending, so all the cars have to merge into one lane, and there’s always that one person who feels entitled to pass everyone else in line. (Until a truck driver takes up both lanes and blocks the selfish line-cutter. At that moment, the lover of justice inside me cheers.)
Yet, Jesus’s words reveal an entirely different way of thinking:
Instead of retaliating when someone does something wrong or rejoicing in their punishment, what if I could let it go? What if it’s okay that they cut in front of me? In this Scripture, Jesus is teaching His followers how not to retaliate when someone does something selfish or hurtful.
But you know what? These words don’t sit very well with me. They push on the part of me that desires justice. It isn’t fair, I think. It isn’t fair how the person who cuts me off in traffic or the grocery line seemingly gets away with it.
However, Jesus isn’t telling us to seek fairness. He’s asking us to examine the condition of our hearts. Jesus wants our hearts to look like His heart, and our actions to look like His actions.
As Paul writes:
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!”
Philippians 2:5-8 NIV
Jesus gave everything for us and nothing done to Him was ever fair. Jesus came to serve, not to be served. He did not come to make things fair but to make a way for people to have a restored relationship with Him! He invites us to follow His ways and be His ambassadors. And while this sounds good and beautiful, the truth is we often don’t want to do this — I often don’t want to do this.
It seems wrong and unjust to allow people to treat us unfairly without putting up a fight or defending ourselves. But that’s not how the Kingdom of Heaven works. As children of God, we’re not called to fight and fend for ourselves but to follow in Jesus’s footsteps and forgive those who hurt us. In Matthew 5:40-42 (NLT), Jesus says, “If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.”
Truth is, we don’t want to do this. It goes against everything we’ve been taught. We tend to think that if we give — whether of our time, strength, or resources — we will no longer have enough. But Jesus is showing us how investments work in His Kingdom. He knows that the Father will honor whatever we give, even if giving, serving, or loving feels unfair or undeserved. Surely, forgiveness and generosity are hallmarks of God’s character that we get to receive and are called to share with others.
The next time someone cuts you off in traffic, hurts your feelings, or treats you unfairly, rather than retaliating, remember the invitation to participate in God’s kingdom. Forgive quickly. Serve eagerly. Love freely. Release the need for fairness and choose the mindset of Jesus — knowing that, in the end, the God of justice will right every wrong.
People around you may not understand your choice to “offer the other cheek.”
But remember the words of Jesus: “You have heard . . . but I say.”
Then, respond just like He would.
Trya thank you for writing what you did in today’s devotion. I loved every word of it. It really spoke to me. I am the only one saved in my whole family. Times they have hurt me with their words. Said you say your a Christian. If so you do it show you care. Sometimes you have to say no. Not let them black mail you with their words. Trying to get you to do something for them and you know they are just using you. I had that in my family. They know I can’t over do with my health. Doing my Dad’s their Dad’s home help Monday to Friday is enough for me. Especially when I take seizures and get tired very easily. But they expect you to be able to do it anyway. You have to say nicely to them no you are not fit to do what they want. But still you get the blackmail especially with being a Christian as they tru and use that against you to make you say yes I will do it. But you have to at times stay strong and keep saying no nicely. Then there are times they could do more to help you. When doing things to help their Dad my Dad. You say to yourself why did they leave it for me. They should have cleaned it up after themselves. You think that’s not fair I wasn’t justice. I just want them to not leave me to do it the next day. When they made the mess. You then think if was there homes they not leave they clean it. So why leave for me. You can say plenty. But I have a friend who is saved. I told her this about different things to do with my family. I just want to scream why didn’t they clean it up there and then when they made the mess doing something for my Dad their Dad too. Than leave for me to do the next day. If I was the one made the mess I clean it up right away not leave for the next day for someone else to clean after me even in my own home. My friend said who was saved. The same thing they Jesus said to his Father on the cross. “Forgive them Lord for they know not what they do” That sicks in my mind when I get annoyed with my Family like this. My Friend said remember that because they are not saved. They are of the world. Most people of the world only think of themselves. How true that is. Those were true words my Friend said to me. So I try to remember them. Especially the one Jesus said to him Father on the cross “Forgive them Lord for they no not what they do” Anytime my Family annoy me. Jesus would want me to do that rather than retaliate and say something I would regret later. Then a row go up. Show them God love. I love your reading Trya. As this last week or two at my Dad’s their Dad’s too I have wanted to scream at them for leaving things for me to do the next day. When they could have cleared it up after themselves. God has said no Dawn say nothing. Pray for them for doing this and them not thinking of you but themselves. As row go up that’s not want you want as that doesn’t help your health. Forgive them God said to me for they know not what they do. Yes it hard as you want them to see the strain and pressure they are putting on you. You want to say something. But it hard to listen to what God has told you to do which is best and best for my health. Love Dawn Ferguson-Little Enniskillen Co.Fermanagh N.Ireland xx
Dawn,
Your friend is so wise. What beautiful words our Lord spoke. Thank you for sharing your story with me. God is good and He will give us the grace we need to love those around us.
Have a wonderful week!
Live Uncommon,
Tyra
Tyra,
I needed this message on this day.
With much gratitude,
Kathleen
Kathleen,
Thank you for letting me know this devotional spoke to you. We all need to be reminded of this from time to time.
Have the best day!
Live Uncommon,
Tyra
Tyra,
You’re so right!
Sending you Advent JOY,
Lisa Wilt
Lisa,
Aw! Thank you for the mention of Advent joy. What a special sentence that was for me to read.
Sending Advent joy right back to you.
Live Uncommon,
Tyra
Wow! This is very convicting! Fairness is not the goal. The goal is to be like Christ.
Irene,
I am equally convicted each time I read it. Being more like Jesus is what He wants for us, and it’s such a better way to live.
Happy Christmas Season!
Live Uncommon,
Tyra
Dear Tyra……………WOW, this devotion that you wrote today really woke me up as I read on and on. What I did and I didn’t realize it was something that was wrong by Jesus was very similar to one of the things that you mentioned. Traffic is bad all over, but in our area there are 2 major routes where it seems nobody follows the instructions when there is being lane repair. This happened to me a couple of months ago—-Twice. The first one was two lanes being funneled into 1 and I was waiting in line for 25 minutes for my turn when this care with a young guy in it raced up the lane that was eventually closed and he stopped right aside of me. I paid no attention to him as everyone else was waiting their turn. Didn’t even look at him, but he looked at me and saw an old woman and figured, “No.problem”. First he tapped me and then he hit me and forced me off of the road and took my place. People were honking their horns at him as they had been waiting too. My car had dents and scrapes and as he was laughing at me he also gave me the f***er. He raced away before I could get his license plate number. The next day on a normal road, the same thing happened but this time is was 5 young guys in the car and they just laughed and hit my car and forced me off of the road again with dents and scrapes. I was between being so mad to wanting to cry. After reading your words, I never considered the ” turn your other cheek” from Jesus and I never prayed and asked for forgiveness. I will today. There are just so many things wrong in the world right now and we are just human beings with emotions. Thank you for reminding me, Tyra about Jesus’s story. I need to go back to my Bible and re-read what we should be thinking and doing. Tyra….I wish you and your family as we journey through the Advent Season to the birth of our beloved Jesus. You women from incourage have helped me so very much since I found you. Love to you……..Betsy Basile
Betsy,
I am so sorry those events happened to you. I’m glad you are okay. It might be a good idea to file a police report. You can forgive in your heart all the while making sure people obey the laws of the land.
Praying peace and abundance of joy over you during the Holiday season.
Have a Merry Christmas!
Live Uncommon,
Tyra
OMG! Powerful. It is hard to turn the other cheek! Really hard! Especially in traffic… hahaha
I recently started a new job. Trying to fit in as well as learn, it was easy to “get caught up” in the issues going on between the ladies in the office. Luckily God’s word in scripture slowly prepared me each work day to “stay in my lane. His presence reminded me to be “His” shepherd, not the “newcomer” wanting to be liked and popular by taking sides.. Especially not to gossip!!!! It may not always be easy, but it will be worth it. Praying their relationship will heal. Thank you God \0/
….and thank you Tyra for such a great message xoxoxo
Janet,
Congratulations on the new job. I’m praying the light of Jesus will shine through you. I believe you will make a difference right where you are. The love of God is magnetic. Thank you for sharing your story with me.
Have the best Christmas season!
Live Uncommon,
Tyra
HOLY MOLY!!! What a powerful message/devotional….a post that I will save to be reminded daily to keep my FOCUS on Him. THANKS, Tyra, for sharing your wisdom thru the word of God! I always think of the Disney movie, Frozen song: Let it go, Let it go – when unkind words or actions are done to me, the hardest is when it comes to family. BUT, it does encourage me to be a better person and what NOT to become, and only use that energy to FOCUS more on Him. Let’s FORGIVE quickly, SERVE eagerly, LOVE freely, which is very difficult in the world today as we TRUST Him…God Bless!!
Lori!
What a fun reply! I sing the lyrics to that “Let if go” song far too often. I’m right there with you. I’m glad we’re in this together.
Have the best Christmas season!
Live Uncommon,
Tyra
But….then, we have justice on earth, as humans. We have court, we have cops, we have judges, and laws we must obey. If a person breaks into your home, you won’t be waving them goodbye as they leave with your belongings. I understand about the small every day things, but if i get raped, i’ll want justice to be served and other women protected from this predator! This is normal, on earth. I know that in the Kingdom of God, that’s not how it operates. But down here, in order for our world to be as peaceful as possible, there must be consequences to our actions while we are alive, so we can evolve and learn. That person who cuts you, might end up killing someone, you can’t be at peace with that. Your reaction is normal because there’s a code of conduct on the road that we all must obey. Of course, you can’t stay angry all day, that’s true. You move on. But, we can’t be numb and let all the wrong doing pass without consequences.
Chantale,
Thank you for your reply. Of course we would obey the laws of the land. Law and order is a gift. I praise God for the people He places in authority for those reason. He’s is good and smart and thinks of everything.
Wishing you the best Christmas season!
Live Uncommon,
Tyra