Luke 6:27-36 - Non-Violent resistance

Luke 6:27-36 (NRSV)

“But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

The issue of turning the other cheek has always been one to raise some eyebrows.

Some context helps. 

According to Christian scholar Walter Wink, in advising people to turn the other cheek Jesus is offering a third alternative to either violent resistance or passive acceptance.

In Roman times, the left hand was only used for certain bodily functions and would never have been used to strike someone. Only the right hand would be. And slaps of power would be back-handed, rather than open palmed. (Watch any old Biblical movie and you'll see that).

So to strike someone's cheek, you would backhand their right cheek with your right hand. (the Gospel of Matthew in fact specifies that it is the right cheek that is slapped).

Now, if someone does that to you and you turn the other cheek, what happens?

They aren't going to use their left hand to slap you. You have then rendered them powerless, even if it is only momentarily.

And this is Jesus' "third way" of non-violent resistance.

Non-violance is not passive. It is not submitting.

It is taking power and turning it back against the perpetrator without using more violence. It is refusing humiliation.

Yes, it is possible you will still be beaten. 

But the perpetrator of the violence will at the very least be given pause as they confront the unexpected response.

Similarly, in offering your shirt in addition to your coat, your nakedness would shame the person who would take your coat. Disconcerting at the very least!

Jesus is not advising passive submission to violence against us. Instead, Jesus offers a way of taking back some of our self-respect and turning the tables non-violently against a violent world.

Lord, turn me away from violence and help me to respect the dignity of all people. Amen