Scripture Matthew 5:39-43
But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; and if any one would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you. "You have heard that it was said, `You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Comment
Love the Romans and Herod. Bless those who curse you and kick you. To those who strike you on the cheek. To those who take your coat.
So we hear this very tough teaching that Jesus is saying but we don’t realize how challenging that would be given the historical context, given the Roman occupation of Israel.
Jesus gives this teaching but He isn’t just going to talk the talk. This is exactly what Jesus is going to do when the Romans take him and they slap him on the cheek, they stripped him of His robe.”
(Although not specifically mentioned by Tim Gray, the Romans used force on Jesus while He carried His Cross “two miles”, Jesus prayed for those who persecuted Him while on the Cross and a criminal hanging next to Jesus on the Cross begged Jesus to remember him).
Source: Tim Gray – the Gospel of Matthew
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