Introduction:

Jesus is certainly teasing us.  The expected response is: “There is no way I am going to love my enemy!”

This statement is a koan.  It is nonsensical, indeed impossible, if taken literally.  It challenges us to think.  It is meant for meditation.

There is a Buddhist story about a fearful monster.  Villagers hated the monster; shouted at it and beat it with sticks.  But the monster changed depending upon how it was treated.  If cursed or injured with blows, it became bigger and meaner.  If treated kindly, it became smaller and gentler.

In the appendix below, there is a synopsis of a fascinating new interpretation of Jesus famous sayings “turn the other cheek”, “give also your coat”, and “walk the second mile”.   Consider the probability that Jesus was teaching resistance to authority!

 

The Sayings of Jesus:

Love Your Enemy

Matthew 5: 43-45

43 You have heard that it was said — ‘You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’

44 But what I tell you is this: love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you,

45 so that you may become children of your Father who is in heaven; for he causes his sun to rise on bad and good alike, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.

Turn the Other Cheek

Matthew 5: 38-41

38 You have heard that it was said — ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’

39 But I say to you that you must not resist those who wrong you;

but, if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to them also.

40 If someone sues you for your shirt, let them have your cloak as well.

41 If you are forced to carry a soldier’s pack for one mile, carry it two.

 

Stories and Commentary:

“Love Your Enemy”

I had never taken this statement seriously.  If I love a person they are no longer my enemy. I thought “what a crazy statement”.

I was challenged to rethink my attitude by a statement by Mahatma Gandhi:  “The trouble with Christians is that they think that Jesus was kidding.”

I was in a management position and was having great difficulty with conflicts with bosses and other managers.  I decided to try “loving my enemies”.  I didn’t go as far as trusting them but I did treat them kindly, did small favors, and talked about interests that we found agreement on.  Within six months my workday was transformed for the better.  Previous enemies had become partners.

 

“Turn the Other Cheek”

I had always hated these quotes as teaching passive acceptance of mistreatment.  They made me feel oppressed and helpless.

The interpretations explained below completely reversed my view of the teachings of Jesus.  It has become clear that he was teaching bold assertiveness with a tinge of humor.  These quotes now make me laugh and they make me feel empowered.

 

Appendix: “Turn the other cheek”

Consider alternate interpretations of these three sayings that are totally different from our usual interpretation.   Instead of passive acceptance, Jesus might have been teaching non-violent resistance!

“Turn the other cheek”:  In the culture of the day the left hand was for toileting and considered dirty and never to be used to touch another person.  A slap on the right cheek is by necessity a backhanded “cuffing” with the hitters right hand and only done by superiors to an inferior. Turning the left cheek was inviting them to slap you with an open hand.  An open handed slap is equal to equal.  This was in a sense saying: “Treat me as an equal”.^[i]

“Hand over your coat as well”:  In the culture of the day, this would be a court scene where you were being sued for your last possession, namely your coat.  You are then handing over your shirt; in a two garment society you would be left naked.  The person suing you and leaving you naked is the person that would be shamed.

“Go the second mile”:  A Roman soldier was allowed to force a Jewish peasant to carry his pack; but only for one mile.  Any further and the Roman soldier could be punished.  Imagine the soldier begging to have his pack returned.

^[i] These interpretations of the three short sayings are adapted from the book: Jesus and Nonviolence: A Third Way, by Walter Wink