John 18:13-27

 John 18:13-27

In verse 22 we see the first of the physical attacks on Jesus.  As with all of the physical abuse we can think, “If you only knew who you were abusing?”  Eternal God made flesh slapped by His creation.  Turning the other cheek was not a theoretical discussion, it was the principle which would lead from slapping to crucifixion to resurrection.  We are fools to think that non-violence will result in changing the heart and attitude of the attacker.  That is not the point of turning the other cheek.  The point of turning the other check is obedience; the results are not the objective.  From this point on the violence will only grow and Jesus will respond in obedience to the Father.

Obedience is obedience only if disobedience is a real possibility.  Jesus could have responded with the cosmic power that created the universe or an army of angels.  But obedience to the Father precluded those responses.  I don’t have that kind of power at my disposal as evidenced by the fact that the world has not been destroyed.    I don’t have an angelic army to command, I am not even a member of a gang.  But I do have the capacity to hate, to have an inner universe in which I am divine.  In this universe I can rally those people who adore me to join together in hating those who offend me.  Law, culture and relative strength limit our capacity for violence and revenge.  But nothing from the outside can restrain secret hates we harbor.

Turning the other check literally or metaphorically is no big deal if we have no other options.  What we see in Jesus throughout the passion is an outward sign of an inner love.  To restrain self from anger and bitterness because of love is what Jesus did and what we are called to as well.

“Lord, help me to love those who hate me, with the love Jesus has for those who hate Him. AMEN”