WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.320 All right, well this morning we're continuing our way through Jesus' sermon found in Luke chapter 6. 00:00:07.120 --> 00:00:11.400 ! And last week we heard Jesus give some very challenging instruction. 00:00:12.300 --> 00:00:15.700 ! He said we must love our enemies. 00:00:16.920 --> 00:00:21.280 He said we must do good to those who hate us. 00:00:21.800 --> 00:00:25.640 He said we must bless those who curse us. 00:00:25.640 --> 00:00:30.380 He said we must pray for those who mistreat us. 00:00:30.420 --> 00:00:35.159 And we spent all of last week's message just reflecting on those four imperatives. 00:00:36.079 --> 00:00:38.420 Well this morning we continue on the same subject. 00:00:39.079 --> 00:00:40.780 Jesus isn't finished yet. 00:00:41.280 --> 00:00:48.740 He has more to say about this challenging issue of how we respond to those who mistreat us. 00:00:49.740 --> 00:00:55.480 We're in Luke chapter 6 and I'll read our passage for us starting in verse 29. 00:00:55.640 --> 00:01:04.319 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. 00:01:05.319 --> 00:01:10.719 If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 00:01:12.000 --> 00:01:14.579 Give to everyone who asks you. 00:01:15.680 --> 00:01:20.379 And if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 00:01:20.379 --> 00:01:26.060 Do to others as you would have them do to you. 00:01:28.619 --> 00:01:32.359 Now many questions arise as we hear Jesus say these things. 00:01:33.219 --> 00:01:36.879 What does Jesus mean when he says, turn the other cheek? 00:01:38.459 --> 00:01:41.939 What does he mean when he says, do not withhold your shirt? 00:01:41.939 --> 00:01:49.420 What's wrong with demanding that someone return what they have taken from us? 00:01:51.319 --> 00:01:57.379 Is Jesus saying that we must simply put up with the abuse and mistreatment of others? 00:01:57.379 --> 00:02:03.799 Is he saying that we should just allow them to hurt and take advantage of us? 00:02:05.519 --> 00:02:08.400 Are there exceptions to these words? 00:02:09.759 --> 00:02:12.560 And how do we apply these words in everyday life? 00:02:13.560 --> 00:02:19.079 So many questions come up and Christians for centuries have been discussing these words of Jesus 00:02:19.079 --> 00:02:20.800 and trying to answer these questions. 00:02:20.800 --> 00:02:26.100 Let's start at the beginning with Jesus' first statement in verse 29. 00:02:27.420 --> 00:02:32.800 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. 00:02:33.900 --> 00:02:35.719 We first remember the context. 00:02:35.920 --> 00:02:37.740 Jesus is talking about enemies. 00:02:38.900 --> 00:02:43.560 He's talking about how we respond to those who mistreat us. 00:02:44.080 --> 00:02:49.140 And so this slap in the face is another kind of mistreatment that we may experience 00:02:49.139 --> 00:02:54.079 from an enemy or from someone who hates us or is in conflict with us. 00:02:55.519 --> 00:03:01.259 And from the study that I've done, I think it's significant that it's a slap or strike on the cheek. 00:03:02.379 --> 00:03:07.239 Various commentators and pastors that I read made mention of how in their culture, 00:03:07.799 --> 00:03:12.879 a slap on the cheek was widely understood as an act of insult 00:03:12.879 --> 00:03:16.519 rather than an act of violence intended to injure. 00:03:16.520 --> 00:03:24.700 The Mishnah, a written record of Jewish oral traditions and laws and teachings. 00:03:25.820 --> 00:03:29.500 It was written to interpret how to live according to the Torah. 00:03:30.800 --> 00:03:37.219 It predates Jesus' birth by centuries and it wasn't written down until about 200 AD. 00:03:37.820 --> 00:03:39.480 But this is what it says in the Mishnah, 00:03:39.560 --> 00:03:42.400 the teachings of the rabbis from around the time of Jesus. 00:03:42.400 --> 00:03:47.240 One who strikes another must give him a selah. 00:03:47.340 --> 00:03:48.439 That's an amount of money. 00:03:50.040 --> 00:03:56.020 Rabbi Yehuda says in the name of Rabbi Yosei Hagelili that he must give him 100 dinars. 00:03:56.740 --> 00:04:01.200 If he slapped another on the cheek, he must give him 200 dinars. 00:04:01.980 --> 00:04:04.960 If he slapped him on the cheek with the back of his hand, 00:04:04.960 --> 00:04:09.599 which is more degrading than a slap with the palm, he must give him 400 dinars. 00:04:10.900 --> 00:04:15.560 So notice how in kind of their mindset, their culture at that time, 00:04:15.960 --> 00:04:19.540 hitting someone or striking them required only 100, 00:04:20.100 --> 00:04:23.379 but slapping them on the cheek was even worse. 00:04:23.939 --> 00:04:27.800 It was a denigrating, a humiliating act, an act of insult. 00:04:27.800 --> 00:04:30.379 That was worth double in compensation. 00:04:31.560 --> 00:04:35.759 And then backhanding them, which would be the right hand across their right cheek, 00:04:36.639 --> 00:04:39.960 required four times as much, 400 to be paid. 00:04:40.060 --> 00:04:43.819 So this kind of just illustrates how they conceived of a slap on the cheek. 00:04:44.519 --> 00:04:49.680 It was an act done to humiliate, to insult, not mainly to injure. 00:04:51.379 --> 00:04:53.519 And according to the Mishnah, at least, 00:04:53.519 --> 00:04:57.680 if you did this, you were liable to pay compensation for that. 00:04:58.759 --> 00:05:04.079 So, if someone does this deeply humiliating and insulting thing to you, 00:05:04.639 --> 00:05:07.780 what does Jesus say we should do in response? 00:05:09.460 --> 00:05:13.280 Turn to them the other cheek also. 00:05:14.160 --> 00:05:17.160 And here's where the questions and the discussion really begin. 00:05:17.280 --> 00:05:20.900 What does that mean, to turn to them the other also? 00:05:21.900 --> 00:05:24.060 We'll start with what everyone agrees on. 00:05:24.060 --> 00:05:28.699 The natural response of a person who is slapped in the face is what? 00:05:32.699 --> 00:05:33.879 Slap them back. 00:05:34.079 --> 00:05:35.720 How dare you do that to me? 00:05:35.980 --> 00:05:36.920 I'll slap you. 00:05:40.519 --> 00:05:41.660 Insult them back. 00:05:41.819 --> 00:05:42.680 Hate them back. 00:05:43.259 --> 00:05:44.579 Respond in kind. 00:05:44.579 --> 00:05:50.180 And so what everyone agrees on is that turn the other cheek means at least, 00:05:50.859 --> 00:05:52.279 do not retaliate. 00:05:53.759 --> 00:05:55.519 Do not respond in kind. 00:05:56.759 --> 00:05:58.099 Don't try to get even. 00:05:59.379 --> 00:06:00.639 Don't take revenge. 00:06:00.639 --> 00:06:05.439 Now, let's wade into the more difficult discussion here. 00:06:05.500 --> 00:06:10.000 At some point, we need to acknowledge that these words give us a broader principle. 00:06:11.599 --> 00:06:17.000 Is Jesus only forbidding us from retaliating to slaps on the cheek? 00:06:17.000 --> 00:06:20.600 I think we all know the answer is no. 00:06:21.860 --> 00:06:23.459 What if we're kicked in the shins? 00:06:25.720 --> 00:06:29.939 What if a bully at school sneaks up behind us and pulls our pants down? 00:06:33.060 --> 00:06:38.439 I think we know that Jesus means for us to apply these words to those situations as well. 00:06:38.540 --> 00:06:40.860 It's not just for slaps on the cheek. 00:06:41.459 --> 00:06:43.699 And so the slap on the cheek is representative. 00:06:43.699 --> 00:06:48.779 It's a representative example of all kinds of things that might be done to us 00:06:48.779 --> 00:06:54.920 that are wrong, to which we're to respond by not retaliating. 00:06:55.740 --> 00:06:58.319 And I think it helps us a bit because in our culture, 00:06:58.420 --> 00:07:02.680 getting slapped across the face is not nearly as common as it used to be. 00:07:03.539 --> 00:07:08.240 I think I can only remember one time in my life ever being slapped in the face 00:07:08.240 --> 00:07:12.180 when I said something rude to somebody, and I probably deserved it. 00:07:13.699 --> 00:07:17.639 I don't know what you guys can remember from back in your years. 00:07:17.740 --> 00:07:19.659 We can talk about that after the service. 00:07:19.659 --> 00:07:24.579 But what are some of the other ways that people commonly retaliate today? 00:07:25.399 --> 00:07:29.420 It could be a push or a shove or an elbow. 00:07:30.180 --> 00:07:33.719 That's usually about as physical as it gets between mature adults. 00:07:35.099 --> 00:07:39.099 Whether you're on the ice, that's a whole other story. 00:07:39.100 --> 00:07:42.160 But it could be other things too. 00:07:42.300 --> 00:07:45.420 Maybe it's leaving a smelly surprise on someone else's doorstep 00:07:45.420 --> 00:07:49.100 after their dog takes a poop on your lawn for the umpteenth time. 00:07:50.200 --> 00:07:53.660 Another common thing done today is keying a person's vehicle. 00:07:55.160 --> 00:07:58.900 Or how about calling the town office or the RM office frequently 00:07:58.900 --> 00:08:03.000 to complain about how your neighbor is managing their property. 00:08:03.000 --> 00:08:07.399 So we need to think beyond just the slap here. 00:08:07.779 --> 00:08:10.899 Because I think for most of us it rarely comes to blows. 00:08:12.500 --> 00:08:16.560 Probably the way in which this applies the most is how people speak to us 00:08:16.560 --> 00:08:23.360 when they say something that's unkind to us or rude, insulting, or impatient. 00:08:23.360 --> 00:08:27.240 It could be someone's written communication to us. 00:08:27.819 --> 00:08:31.100 That nasty letter or email. 00:08:32.039 --> 00:08:33.600 A hurtful text. 00:08:34.680 --> 00:08:38.159 An unkind or humiliating comment on social media. 00:08:39.440 --> 00:08:42.340 Or it could be something they tell us face to face. 00:08:43.220 --> 00:08:44.440 A word of insult. 00:08:45.740 --> 00:08:49.840 Speaking to us condescendingly or rudely. 00:08:50.539 --> 00:08:51.560 Calling us a name. 00:08:51.559 --> 00:08:53.959 Saying something that's not true about us. 00:08:55.259 --> 00:08:57.599 Making fun of us in front of others. 00:08:58.579 --> 00:09:02.459 I think this is where these words of Jesus apply to us most. 00:09:02.799 --> 00:09:07.419 Because people seldom wind up and physically smack us on the cheek. 00:09:08.159 --> 00:09:10.259 Most of the time it's a verbal smack. 00:09:11.979 --> 00:09:16.239 Lashing out or striking a blow with their words. 00:09:17.299 --> 00:09:20.639 And so turning the other cheek means more than just not hitting people 00:09:20.639 --> 00:09:21.939 that hit you. 00:09:21.939 --> 00:09:27.720 It means responding to all kinds of mistreatment with non-retaliation. 00:09:28.419 --> 00:09:30.139 Not taking revenge. 00:09:30.659 --> 00:09:32.319 Not insulting back. 00:09:32.899 --> 00:09:34.939 Not being rude back to them. 00:09:35.939 --> 00:09:38.699 Not doing something to get even. 00:09:38.700 --> 00:09:44.780 Another thing we should talk about here is whether there are exceptions to this. 00:09:45.340 --> 00:09:50.340 Some see these words of Jesus as a prohibition of all violent behavior outright. 00:09:50.900 --> 00:09:52.259 All physical force. 00:09:52.259 --> 00:10:01.679 Others, I think, wisely suggest that these words of Jesus have to do with our conduct in personal relationships. 00:10:02.799 --> 00:10:07.279 And so these words are not intended to apply to situations of law enforcement. 00:10:07.779 --> 00:10:10.740 Or to situations of war or battle. 00:10:10.740 --> 00:10:17.320 The apostle Paul taught that governing authorities are established by God and serve his good purposes 00:10:17.320 --> 00:10:19.659 even by bearing the sword. 00:10:20.419 --> 00:10:22.759 That's Romans 13 verse 1 and verse 4. 00:10:23.440 --> 00:10:25.519 John the baptizer called people to repent. 00:10:25.680 --> 00:10:28.960 And among the people that he was speaking to were soldiers. 00:10:29.500 --> 00:10:31.159 He didn't tell them to quit their jobs. 00:10:31.259 --> 00:10:35.399 Saying it's immoral to do that job because it involves using force. 00:10:35.399 --> 00:10:39.360 He told them rather to stop extorting people. 00:10:39.919 --> 00:10:43.120 And so this isn't mainly a prohibition of violent behavior. 00:10:43.879 --> 00:10:46.059 It's a prohibition of retaliation. 00:10:46.659 --> 00:10:47.980 Getting revenge. 00:10:48.939 --> 00:10:49.620 Getting even. 00:10:50.439 --> 00:10:56.419 And it's just sort of understood that it applies to our personal day-to-day interactions with people. 00:10:59.240 --> 00:11:04.340 A possible other kind of realm of exception here, I would suggest, 00:11:04.340 --> 00:11:10.620 is that turning the other cheek does not mean we must simply sit there and allow others to repeatedly abuse us. 00:11:11.300 --> 00:11:18.259 In the case of physical violence, it doesn't mean that we must simply sit there and let them beat us to death. 00:11:19.220 --> 00:11:22.240 The slap on the cheek is a humiliating blow. 00:11:22.460 --> 00:11:23.180 It's an insult. 00:11:23.700 --> 00:11:26.759 Not an attack with intent to wound or kill. 00:11:27.879 --> 00:11:29.400 And so fleeing is an option. 00:11:29.960 --> 00:11:32.320 Of course, removing ourselves from the situation. 00:11:32.320 --> 00:11:36.420 Self-defense is an option as well in cases of physical violence. 00:11:36.660 --> 00:11:40.740 Whether it's blocking, parrying, disarming, restraining. 00:11:41.760 --> 00:11:49.100 In the case of verbal abuse, it doesn't mean that we just have to sit there quietly and let them continue to berate us. 00:11:49.860 --> 00:11:51.379 There are times for rebuke. 00:11:51.940 --> 00:11:53.379 There are times for correction. 00:11:53.379 --> 00:12:01.360 So turning the other cheek does not mean that we just simply allow ourselves to be injured or repeatedly abused. 00:12:01.460 --> 00:12:02.919 It means not retaliating. 00:12:03.059 --> 00:12:06.820 Not responding in a spirit of revenge to get even. 00:12:07.539 --> 00:12:08.759 Or to pay them back. 00:12:10.159 --> 00:12:14.879 We also have to be careful about the way in which we turn the other cheek. 00:12:14.879 --> 00:12:19.899 And this is something that's maybe a little lost in translation from their culture to ours. 00:12:20.539 --> 00:12:25.759 But if someone was to actually wind up and slap you on the cheek. 00:12:26.240 --> 00:12:29.240 And you were to actually turn to them the other also. 00:12:30.019 --> 00:12:32.500 What would that communicate to them in that moment? 00:12:32.500 --> 00:12:33.500 Okay. 00:12:39.039 --> 00:12:39.519 Maybe. 00:12:41.019 --> 00:12:42.019 That didn't hurt. 00:12:42.460 --> 00:12:44.700 Is that all you got? 00:12:44.860 --> 00:12:45.039 Okay. 00:12:45.340 --> 00:12:51.059 So it kind of depends on the way in which you turn the other cheek. 00:12:51.159 --> 00:12:51.320 Right? 00:12:51.360 --> 00:12:53.379 Are you doing it with a smirk on your face? 00:12:53.460 --> 00:12:55.120 Like is that the best you can do? 00:12:58.059 --> 00:13:01.320 And if so, don't be surprised if you get slapped another time. 00:13:02.500 --> 00:13:06.820 Jesus is not commanding us to invite them to slap us again. 00:13:07.940 --> 00:13:10.840 We see this kind of brutish arrogance in movies. 00:13:11.519 --> 00:13:13.000 You know, come on, hit me again. 00:13:13.080 --> 00:13:14.240 Is that the best you've got? 00:13:15.059 --> 00:13:19.399 That kind of cheek turning is not what Jesus has in mind. 00:13:19.539 --> 00:13:24.000 He's talking about a kind of cheek turning that's not proud. 00:13:24.399 --> 00:13:25.360 That's not arrogant. 00:13:26.019 --> 00:13:26.840 That's humble. 00:13:28.139 --> 00:13:29.240 That's gracious. 00:13:29.860 --> 00:13:31.039 Rather than taunting. 00:13:32.500 --> 00:13:39.759 And it's probably a sort of graphic exaggeration that Jesus gives to make the point that we're not to strike back. 00:13:40.740 --> 00:13:45.519 Jesus sometimes used very graphic illustrations or examples to make the point. 00:13:45.639 --> 00:13:50.240 Like if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. 00:13:50.240 --> 00:13:56.899 And so Jesus is not suggesting that we go so far as to invite the further mistreatment or abuse. 00:13:57.659 --> 00:14:04.560 Rather, it's something like be willing to be slapped a second time rather than return slap for slap. 00:14:04.559 --> 00:14:12.659 It's better to be shamed or humiliated again than to return insult for insult. 00:14:13.359 --> 00:14:17.319 When someone wrongs you, don't immediately lash back. 00:14:18.599 --> 00:14:19.639 Bear it with grace. 00:14:20.779 --> 00:14:21.859 Don't repay it. 00:14:21.860 --> 00:14:27.860 Let the insult fall on you and show them mercy instead. 00:14:28.519 --> 00:14:35.940 Be willing to take a blow and let your response speak of love and not revenge. 00:14:35.940 --> 00:14:41.300 Jesus now gives a second very tangible example here. 00:14:41.820 --> 00:14:42.240 He says, 00:14:42.360 --> 00:14:46.620 If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 00:14:47.760 --> 00:14:50.900 Now there's two different explanations given for this one. 00:14:51.620 --> 00:14:58.260 Some think this refers to a robbery situation where a person's coat is stolen from them. 00:14:58.259 --> 00:15:01.580 It could be that they just left it lying there and it was unattended. 00:15:01.779 --> 00:15:07.200 Or because of being held up by thieves who demanded it under threat of violence. 00:15:08.539 --> 00:15:13.679 A second explanation comes from the parallel passage in Matthew chapter 5. 00:15:14.580 --> 00:15:19.419 Here in Matthew 5, it's a very similar statement, but it comes in a legal context. 00:15:19.559 --> 00:15:21.539 It says in Matthew 5 verse 40, 00:15:21.740 --> 00:15:27.840 If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 00:15:28.259 --> 00:15:33.860 Probably they were two different statements that Jesus made, 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:37.039 but just notice the legal flavor of that second one. 00:15:37.179 --> 00:15:41.779 They're suing for the shirt, so give them the coat as well, says Jesus. 00:15:43.340 --> 00:15:49.919 And so some think this taking of the shirt in Luke is along those lines of legal and lawsuit rather than robbery. 00:15:50.500 --> 00:15:53.980 Either way, it's an example of how someone might wrong you. 00:15:54.679 --> 00:15:55.539 It's your coat. 00:15:56.319 --> 00:15:57.379 It's your shirt. 00:15:58.259 --> 00:16:00.759 I mean, it might sound funny in today's world, 00:16:01.319 --> 00:16:03.419 but back then in this culture, 00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:06.399 your coat was one of your most valuable possessions. 00:16:07.340 --> 00:16:09.100 And you usually only had one. 00:16:09.100 --> 00:16:17.180 Probably, as with the first, Jesus is giving this as a sort of representative example. 00:16:17.680 --> 00:16:21.600 And also an extreme way of saying it to make the point. 00:16:22.340 --> 00:16:23.980 Like if they take your coat, 00:16:24.759 --> 00:16:29.440 give them the shirt off your back rather than retaliate. 00:16:30.440 --> 00:16:35.259 Allow yourself to be wronged a second time rather than striking back at them. 00:16:35.259 --> 00:16:40.700 Some even construe the giving of the shirt as an act of kindness. 00:16:40.700 --> 00:16:46.320 Jesus is explaining in this passage how to love our enemies. 00:16:46.320 --> 00:16:53.300 And so if your enemy is so desperate that they steal your jacket, give them your shirt to go with it as a gift. 00:16:53.299 --> 00:16:56.139 They must really be in need. 00:16:56.139 --> 00:17:02.639 Now that doesn't condone the theft, of course, but it sure does meet it with unexpected kindness. 00:17:02.639 --> 00:17:11.339 Now, of course, it's well within our rights to seek legal recourse against a person who has wronged us. 00:17:11.799 --> 00:17:13.480 We have the right to do that. 00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:18.639 But Jesus is instructing us here not to go after our rights, 00:17:18.759 --> 00:17:22.759 but instead to yield them and let ourselves be wronged. 00:17:23.759 --> 00:17:25.819 Forgive them and move on. 00:17:25.819 --> 00:17:32.519 Give to everyone who asks you. 00:17:33.039 --> 00:17:37.919 And if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 00:17:39.500 --> 00:17:41.259 What's wrong with demanding it back? 00:17:42.939 --> 00:17:45.960 After all, it belongs to you. 00:17:47.639 --> 00:17:50.059 But can the Lord help us get by without it? 00:17:50.059 --> 00:17:56.099 Or can he replace it for us with a new one? 00:17:56.480 --> 00:17:57.139 He can. 00:17:58.099 --> 00:17:59.839 You could turn it into a fight. 00:18:01.299 --> 00:18:08.019 Or you could just leave it to God to deal with them and choose to forgive them and move on. 00:18:08.960 --> 00:18:09.859 It's just stuff. 00:18:11.279 --> 00:18:13.700 Give to everyone who asks you. 00:18:14.679 --> 00:18:15.639 It's just stuff. 00:18:17.500 --> 00:18:19.179 God can supply you with more. 00:18:20.059 --> 00:18:26.200 And if we're generous to others with what we have, he can always provide what we lack. 00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:29.000 Notice that word everyone. 00:18:30.179 --> 00:18:33.440 Give to everyone who asks you. 00:18:34.859 --> 00:18:40.460 Not just give to your friends or to your family or to those who are nice 00:18:40.460 --> 00:18:44.259 or to those who are especially responsible. 00:18:45.619 --> 00:18:48.480 Give to everyone who asks of you. 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:50.599 Now obviously this is a general principle. 00:18:50.779 --> 00:18:59.079 There are times when we need to be careful what we give so as not to enable an addict or a freeloader. 00:18:59.079 --> 00:19:06.919 I'll buy a bag of groceries for someone but I won't give them cash if they're begging right outside the liquor store. 00:19:08.179 --> 00:19:09.519 It's a general principle. 00:19:10.579 --> 00:19:13.299 Be generous to others. 00:19:13.299 --> 00:19:18.919 Be rich in mercy to those in need. 00:19:19.680 --> 00:19:24.460 If they ask to borrow a tool and you have three of them, why not just give it to them? 00:19:25.159 --> 00:19:26.919 Tell them to take it home with them and keep it. 00:19:28.720 --> 00:19:32.879 With all of this, Jesus is teaching us the way that he wants us to live. 00:19:32.960 --> 00:19:36.359 The way that he wants us to stand out in the world. 00:19:36.359 --> 00:19:43.099 We're not to be people who push and shove and demand our way and our rights. 00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:48.539 We're not to be people who cherish our belongings over other people. 00:19:49.539 --> 00:19:51.839 When we're mistreated, we're not to retaliate. 00:19:52.199 --> 00:19:57.259 We're to bear the blows and the unkind words of others and forgive. 00:19:57.259 --> 00:20:02.140 But boy, this is hard to actually live out, isn't it? 00:20:04.019 --> 00:20:05.400 What about me? 00:20:07.000 --> 00:20:08.279 What about me? 00:20:08.539 --> 00:20:09.799 What about my stuff? 00:20:10.759 --> 00:20:12.160 What about my honor? 00:20:12.680 --> 00:20:13.779 What about my reputation? 00:20:17.720 --> 00:20:20.980 What they said was not true about me. 00:20:22.579 --> 00:20:25.140 What if they really hurt us? 00:20:27.259 --> 00:20:31.779 They deserve to be held accountable for what they did or said to me. 00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:33.700 There should be consequences. 00:20:34.960 --> 00:20:37.940 Am I just supposed to sit there and let them take it? 00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:40.859 Or take it from them? 00:20:42.400 --> 00:20:46.000 These are the kinds of thoughts that go through our minds when we hear Jesus say this. 00:20:47.200 --> 00:20:52.460 And it's the reason that we often struggle to turn the other cheek and let them have the shirt as well. 00:20:52.460 --> 00:20:57.559 We might wonder, Jesus, are you crazy? 00:20:58.240 --> 00:20:59.980 Am I understanding you right here? 00:21:00.019 --> 00:21:01.819 Is this really how you want me to live? 00:21:03.660 --> 00:21:05.420 Let's just look at one other passage. 00:21:05.759 --> 00:21:07.740 This comes from 1 Corinthians. 00:21:08.319 --> 00:21:10.039 Paul's writing to the Corinthian church. 00:21:10.180 --> 00:21:11.940 And we're kind of jumping into the middle of this. 00:21:11.940 --> 00:21:14.299 So I'll just explain the context briefly. 00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:21.220 Paul's lamenting the fact that the people in the church at Corinth are taking one another to court 00:21:21.220 --> 00:21:25.740 and suing each other when they should be able to resolve their disputes 00:21:25.740 --> 00:21:28.779 with the help of brothers and sisters in the church. 00:21:29.640 --> 00:21:31.180 And this is what he says there. 00:21:32.180 --> 00:21:32.720 He says, 00:21:32.720 --> 00:22:01.700 This is almost the same thing 00:22:01.700 --> 00:22:03.340 that we hear from Jesus. 00:22:04.019 --> 00:22:06.400 Better to allow yourself to be wronged 00:22:06.400 --> 00:22:08.400 than to seek retribution, 00:22:08.559 --> 00:22:09.220 to be cheated 00:22:09.220 --> 00:22:11.920 than to go after your brother 00:22:11.920 --> 00:22:13.340 in court. 00:22:15.299 --> 00:22:16.460 Solomon said, I think, 00:22:16.640 --> 00:22:19.680 what is another way of saying the same principle 00:22:19.680 --> 00:22:22.360 in Proverbs 19, verse 11. 00:22:23.019 --> 00:22:23.600 He said, 00:22:23.600 --> 00:22:25.380 It is to one's glory 00:22:25.380 --> 00:22:26.880 to overlook 00:22:26.880 --> 00:22:28.480 an offense. 00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:32.140 The way of our world 00:22:32.140 --> 00:22:32.980 is to demand 00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:33.779 justice, 00:22:34.099 --> 00:22:35.819 even to take revenge 00:22:35.819 --> 00:22:37.220 and pay them back. 00:22:37.900 --> 00:22:39.839 But we can give glory to God. 00:22:40.339 --> 00:22:41.680 We can do what is truly 00:22:41.680 --> 00:22:42.220 noble 00:22:42.220 --> 00:22:43.140 and honorable 00:22:43.140 --> 00:22:45.579 by overlooking 00:22:45.579 --> 00:22:46.940 the offense, 00:22:47.660 --> 00:22:49.660 by turning the other cheek, 00:22:49.759 --> 00:22:50.660 by letting them have 00:22:50.660 --> 00:22:51.620 the shirt as well. 00:22:51.619 --> 00:22:56.299 What is truly amazing 00:22:56.299 --> 00:22:58.879 is how Jesus himself 00:22:58.879 --> 00:22:59.579 lived 00:22:59.579 --> 00:23:00.679 this way. 00:23:01.500 --> 00:23:02.819 For three years, 00:23:02.939 --> 00:23:04.279 the disciples got to see 00:23:04.279 --> 00:23:05.779 how he handled himself. 00:23:06.779 --> 00:23:08.579 They watched as the Pharisees 00:23:08.579 --> 00:23:09.879 and the teachers of the law 00:23:09.879 --> 00:23:11.979 slandered him 00:23:11.979 --> 00:23:13.919 and said nasty things about him. 00:23:14.839 --> 00:23:16.219 They watched as people 00:23:16.219 --> 00:23:17.219 rejected him 00:23:17.219 --> 00:23:18.959 and pushed him away, 00:23:19.099 --> 00:23:20.059 drove him out of town, 00:23:20.059 --> 00:23:22.819 a little later 00:23:22.819 --> 00:23:23.679 in this gospel, 00:23:24.039 --> 00:23:25.379 Luke chapter 9, 00:23:25.759 --> 00:23:26.539 there's a sort of 00:23:26.539 --> 00:23:27.559 comical story. 00:23:28.259 --> 00:23:29.519 Jesus sends messengers 00:23:29.519 --> 00:23:31.220 ahead to a Samaritan village 00:23:31.220 --> 00:23:32.159 and asks them 00:23:32.159 --> 00:23:33.099 to make things ready 00:23:33.099 --> 00:23:34.440 so that he can stay there 00:23:34.440 --> 00:23:35.779 with his disciples. 00:23:36.879 --> 00:23:37.839 And the Samaritans 00:23:37.839 --> 00:23:38.460 in that town 00:23:38.460 --> 00:23:39.700 don't welcome Jesus. 00:23:39.919 --> 00:23:40.779 They don't want him 00:23:40.779 --> 00:23:41.799 coming there. 00:23:41.879 --> 00:23:42.759 They won't receive him 00:23:42.759 --> 00:23:43.399 in the village 00:23:43.399 --> 00:23:45.079 because he's on his way 00:23:45.079 --> 00:23:45.799 to Jerusalem. 00:23:46.879 --> 00:23:48.079 And the Samaritans 00:23:48.079 --> 00:23:49.259 considered the Jews, 00:23:49.259 --> 00:23:50.619 their enemies. 00:23:52.420 --> 00:23:53.220 And so, 00:23:53.379 --> 00:23:54.160 we read there 00:23:54.160 --> 00:23:55.099 in Luke chapter 9, 00:23:55.160 --> 00:23:55.779 verse 54, 00:23:55.940 --> 00:23:56.700 when the disciples 00:23:56.700 --> 00:23:57.539 James and John 00:23:57.539 --> 00:23:58.220 saw this, 00:23:58.319 --> 00:23:59.500 that Jesus 00:23:59.500 --> 00:24:00.759 was not received, 00:24:01.640 --> 00:24:02.220 they asked, 00:24:02.359 --> 00:24:02.579 Lord, 00:24:02.900 --> 00:24:03.519 do you want us 00:24:03.519 --> 00:24:04.500 to call fire down 00:24:04.500 --> 00:24:05.000 from heaven 00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:05.960 to destroy them? 00:24:08.160 --> 00:24:08.980 I guess their 00:24:08.980 --> 00:24:09.799 newfound ability 00:24:09.799 --> 00:24:11.259 to do miraculous things 00:24:11.259 --> 00:24:12.119 went to their head 00:24:12.119 --> 00:24:13.440 a little bit. 00:24:14.119 --> 00:24:14.400 Like, 00:24:14.579 --> 00:24:15.319 should we kill them 00:24:15.319 --> 00:24:15.940 for you, Jesus? 00:24:15.940 --> 00:24:16.140 Jesus, 00:24:16.500 --> 00:24:19.279 this is the natural response. 00:24:19.740 --> 00:24:20.820 This is the response 00:24:20.820 --> 00:24:22.000 of our flesh. 00:24:22.880 --> 00:24:23.320 Anger. 00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:25.220 How dare they? 00:24:25.960 --> 00:24:26.640 Payback. 00:24:27.299 --> 00:24:27.840 Revenge. 00:24:29.580 --> 00:24:30.900 Jesus responds 00:24:30.900 --> 00:24:32.259 in verse 55, 00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:33.700 but Jesus turned 00:24:33.700 --> 00:24:35.019 and rebuked them. 00:24:35.019 --> 00:24:38.539 then he and his disciples 00:24:38.539 --> 00:24:39.680 went to another village. 00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:40.379 Like, 00:24:40.639 --> 00:24:41.359 don't you guys, 00:24:41.720 --> 00:24:42.299 haven't you guys 00:24:42.299 --> 00:24:42.900 been listening? 00:24:44.420 --> 00:24:45.359 Jesus just turned 00:24:45.359 --> 00:24:46.019 the other cheek 00:24:46.019 --> 00:24:47.920 and went down the road 00:24:47.920 --> 00:24:49.079 to the next village. 00:24:50.359 --> 00:24:51.220 Then there was how 00:24:51.220 --> 00:24:52.440 Jesus treated Judas, 00:24:52.759 --> 00:24:54.079 the one he knew 00:24:54.079 --> 00:24:55.000 would betray him. 00:24:56.440 --> 00:24:57.519 He stooped down 00:24:57.519 --> 00:24:58.119 with the towel 00:24:58.119 --> 00:24:59.220 to wash the feet 00:24:59.220 --> 00:25:00.940 of the man 00:25:00.940 --> 00:25:02.420 who was making 00:25:02.420 --> 00:25:03.039 arrangements 00:25:03.039 --> 00:25:04.480 to hand him over. 00:25:07.319 --> 00:25:08.259 When they arrested 00:25:08.259 --> 00:25:09.200 Jesus in the garden 00:25:09.200 --> 00:25:10.000 of Gethsemane, 00:25:10.339 --> 00:25:12.000 how did Jesus act? 00:25:12.899 --> 00:25:14.159 He commanded Peter 00:25:14.159 --> 00:25:15.859 to put the sword away. 00:25:17.500 --> 00:25:18.119 He said, 00:25:18.220 --> 00:25:18.339 no, 00:25:18.639 --> 00:25:19.440 I'm going to let 00:25:19.440 --> 00:25:20.000 this happen. 00:25:20.839 --> 00:25:22.200 He surrendered himself 00:25:22.200 --> 00:25:23.259 to his enemies. 00:25:24.779 --> 00:25:25.859 Then there was the trial 00:25:25.859 --> 00:25:26.799 in the middle of the night 00:25:26.799 --> 00:25:28.720 as he stood before Annas. 00:25:31.440 --> 00:25:32.200 I'll just read 00:25:32.200 --> 00:25:33.019 a little bit of that. 00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:33.399 Meanwhile, 00:25:33.599 --> 00:25:34.399 the high priest 00:25:34.399 --> 00:25:35.359 questioned Jesus 00:25:35.359 --> 00:25:36.519 about his disciples 00:25:36.519 --> 00:25:37.279 and his teaching. 00:25:38.599 --> 00:25:39.500 I have spoken openly 00:25:39.500 --> 00:25:40.139 to the world, 00:25:40.319 --> 00:25:41.059 Jesus replied. 00:25:41.579 --> 00:25:42.859 I always taught 00:25:42.859 --> 00:25:44.039 in the synagogues 00:25:44.039 --> 00:25:44.759 or at the temple 00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:45.920 where all the Jews 00:25:45.920 --> 00:25:46.619 come together. 00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:48.500 I said nothing 00:25:48.500 --> 00:25:49.079 in secret. 00:25:50.099 --> 00:25:51.119 Why question me? 00:25:52.200 --> 00:25:53.000 Ask those 00:25:53.000 --> 00:25:53.859 who heard me. 00:25:54.899 --> 00:25:55.539 Surely they 00:25:55.539 --> 00:25:56.920 know what I said. 00:25:58.159 --> 00:25:59.079 When Jesus 00:25:59.079 --> 00:25:59.859 said this, 00:26:00.519 --> 00:26:01.420 one of the officials 00:26:01.420 --> 00:26:02.019 nearby 00:26:02.019 --> 00:26:03.420 slapped him 00:26:03.420 --> 00:26:04.480 in the face. 00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:06.580 Is this the way 00:26:06.580 --> 00:26:07.200 you answer 00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:08.080 the high priest? 00:26:08.440 --> 00:26:09.039 He demanded. 00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:12.920 If I said 00:26:12.920 --> 00:26:13.680 something wrong, 00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:14.779 Jesus replied, 00:26:15.360 --> 00:26:16.279 testify as to 00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:16.900 what is wrong. 00:26:17.560 --> 00:26:18.539 But if I spoke 00:26:18.539 --> 00:26:19.100 the truth, 00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:20.820 why did you 00:26:20.820 --> 00:26:21.400 strike me? 00:26:23.300 --> 00:26:23.779 Then Annas 00:26:23.779 --> 00:26:24.160 sent him 00:26:24.160 --> 00:26:25.039 bound to Caiaphas, 00:26:25.140 --> 00:26:25.860 the high priest. 00:26:25.859 --> 00:26:25.939 Christ. 00:26:26.779 --> 00:26:27.839 I'm always amazed 00:26:27.839 --> 00:26:28.819 at this moment. 00:26:29.819 --> 00:26:30.099 Of course, 00:26:30.199 --> 00:26:30.719 Jesus knew 00:26:30.719 --> 00:26:31.299 this was not 00:26:31.299 --> 00:26:32.319 a just trial. 00:26:32.919 --> 00:26:33.199 He knew 00:26:33.199 --> 00:26:33.579 they already 00:26:33.579 --> 00:26:34.159 had plans 00:26:34.159 --> 00:26:34.740 to kill him 00:26:34.740 --> 00:26:36.179 and he was 00:26:36.179 --> 00:26:36.939 exposing them 00:26:36.939 --> 00:26:37.740 in those moments. 00:26:37.859 --> 00:26:38.439 He was calling 00:26:38.439 --> 00:26:39.219 them out on it. 00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:41.599 He was slapped 00:26:41.599 --> 00:26:42.439 in the face 00:26:42.439 --> 00:26:43.219 by order 00:26:43.219 --> 00:26:44.139 of the high priest 00:26:44.139 --> 00:26:44.599 and how did 00:26:44.599 --> 00:26:45.179 he respond? 00:26:47.479 --> 00:26:48.219 He spoke 00:26:48.219 --> 00:26:49.099 no insults. 00:26:50.819 --> 00:26:51.599 He didn't 00:26:51.599 --> 00:26:52.199 curse them. 00:26:52.839 --> 00:26:53.259 He didn't 00:26:53.259 --> 00:26:53.839 threaten them. 00:26:53.919 --> 00:26:54.179 He didn't 00:26:54.179 --> 00:26:55.039 call them names. 00:26:55.859 --> 00:26:57.599 We do 00:26:57.599 --> 00:26:58.019 notice, 00:26:58.179 --> 00:26:58.319 though, 00:26:58.439 --> 00:26:58.719 that 00:26:58.719 --> 00:27:01.259 he did 00:27:01.259 --> 00:27:02.099 ask why 00:27:02.099 --> 00:27:02.459 he was 00:27:02.459 --> 00:27:02.799 struck. 00:27:02.919 --> 00:27:03.539 It doesn't 00:27:03.539 --> 00:27:04.000 mean to 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:04.319 turn the 00:27:04.319 --> 00:27:04.679 other cheek. 00:27:04.779 --> 00:27:04.979 We just 00:27:04.979 --> 00:27:05.339 have to be 00:27:05.339 --> 00:27:05.619 totally 00:27:05.619 --> 00:27:06.099 silent. 00:27:07.339 --> 00:27:08.079 We can't 00:27:08.079 --> 00:27:08.639 say anything. 00:27:09.740 --> 00:27:10.159 He asked 00:27:10.159 --> 00:27:10.419 them to 00:27:10.419 --> 00:27:10.799 state the 00:27:10.799 --> 00:27:11.099 reason, 00:27:11.199 --> 00:27:11.759 to testify 00:27:11.759 --> 00:27:12.240 to what 00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:12.679 he said 00:27:12.679 --> 00:27:13.899 that was 00:27:13.899 --> 00:27:14.240 wrong. 00:27:15.679 --> 00:27:16.240 But other 00:27:16.240 --> 00:27:16.679 than that, 00:27:16.759 --> 00:27:17.039 he did 00:27:17.039 --> 00:27:17.859 not retaliate. 00:27:20.379 --> 00:27:20.919 And then 00:27:20.919 --> 00:27:21.259 from there 00:27:21.259 --> 00:27:21.519 he was 00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:22.159 taken before 00:27:22.159 --> 00:27:22.779 Caiaphas 00:27:22.779 --> 00:27:23.079 and the 00:27:23.079 --> 00:27:23.699 Sanhedrin. 00:27:24.599 --> 00:27:24.879 This 00:27:24.879 --> 00:27:25.179 time 00:27:25.180 --> 00:27:26.580 we read 00:27:26.580 --> 00:27:27.080 in Matthew 00:27:27.080 --> 00:27:28.000 chapter 26 00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:28.560 that the 00:27:28.560 --> 00:27:29.160 chief priests 00:27:29.160 --> 00:27:29.460 and the 00:27:29.460 --> 00:27:29.680 whole 00:27:29.680 --> 00:27:30.380 Sanhedrin 00:27:30.380 --> 00:27:30.900 were looking 00:27:30.900 --> 00:27:31.480 for false 00:27:31.480 --> 00:27:31.880 evidence 00:27:31.880 --> 00:27:32.779 against Jesus 00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:33.940 so that 00:27:33.940 --> 00:27:34.279 they could 00:27:34.279 --> 00:27:34.640 put him 00:27:34.640 --> 00:27:35.140 to death. 00:27:36.340 --> 00:27:36.980 But they 00:27:36.980 --> 00:27:37.320 did not 00:27:37.320 --> 00:27:37.920 find any, 00:27:38.120 --> 00:27:38.580 though many 00:27:38.580 --> 00:27:38.940 false 00:27:38.940 --> 00:27:39.340 witnesses 00:27:39.340 --> 00:27:40.380 came forward. 00:27:41.420 --> 00:27:41.840 Finally, 00:27:41.980 --> 00:27:42.400 two came 00:27:42.400 --> 00:27:42.940 forward and 00:27:42.940 --> 00:27:43.299 declared, 00:27:43.840 --> 00:27:44.299 this fellow 00:27:44.299 --> 00:27:44.620 said, 00:27:44.779 --> 00:27:45.279 I'm able 00:27:45.279 --> 00:27:45.900 to destroy 00:27:45.900 --> 00:27:46.400 the temple 00:27:46.400 --> 00:27:46.840 of God 00:27:46.840 --> 00:27:47.380 and rebuild 00:27:47.380 --> 00:27:47.799 it in 00:27:47.799 --> 00:27:48.480 three days. 00:27:50.080 --> 00:27:50.720 Then the 00:27:50.720 --> 00:27:51.120 high priest 00:27:51.120 --> 00:27:51.580 stood up 00:27:51.580 --> 00:27:51.940 and said 00:27:51.940 --> 00:27:52.460 to Jesus, 00:27:52.460 --> 00:27:54.059 are you 00:27:54.059 --> 00:27:54.480 not going 00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:55.000 to answer? 00:27:56.579 --> 00:27:57.220 What is 00:27:57.220 --> 00:27:57.860 this testimony 00:27:57.860 --> 00:27:58.360 that these 00:27:58.360 --> 00:27:58.660 men are 00:27:58.660 --> 00:27:58.880 bringing 00:27:58.880 --> 00:27:59.600 against you? 00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:02.579 But Jesus 00:28:02.579 --> 00:28:03.240 remained 00:28:03.240 --> 00:28:03.980 silent. 00:28:09.920 --> 00:28:10.400 Amazing. 00:28:10.400 --> 00:28:10.500 Amazing. 00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:14.579 They were 00:28:14.579 --> 00:28:15.019 falsely 00:28:15.019 --> 00:28:15.720 accusing him, 00:28:15.819 --> 00:28:16.019 they were 00:28:16.019 --> 00:28:16.860 slandering him, 00:28:16.960 --> 00:28:17.160 they were 00:28:17.160 --> 00:28:17.940 making things 00:28:17.940 --> 00:28:18.460 up out of 00:28:18.460 --> 00:28:18.860 thin air. 00:28:18.859 --> 00:28:21.319 And this 00:28:21.319 --> 00:28:21.699 time he 00:28:21.699 --> 00:28:22.119 chose to 00:28:22.119 --> 00:28:22.719 remain silent 00:28:22.719 --> 00:28:23.179 through all 00:28:23.179 --> 00:28:23.379 of it. 00:28:23.439 --> 00:28:23.799 He didn't 00:28:23.799 --> 00:28:24.379 retaliate, 00:28:24.439 --> 00:28:24.759 he just 00:28:24.759 --> 00:28:25.139 turned the 00:28:25.139 --> 00:28:25.679 other cheek. 00:28:27.000 --> 00:28:27.599 He didn't 00:28:27.599 --> 00:28:28.139 say anything 00:28:28.139 --> 00:28:28.619 until the 00:28:28.619 --> 00:28:29.379 final question 00:28:29.379 --> 00:28:29.740 of the 00:28:29.740 --> 00:28:30.299 high priest 00:28:30.299 --> 00:28:30.619 where he 00:28:30.619 --> 00:28:31.179 admitted that 00:28:31.179 --> 00:28:31.579 he was 00:28:31.579 --> 00:28:32.179 the Messiah, 00:28:32.779 --> 00:28:33.199 the Son 00:28:33.199 --> 00:28:33.679 of God, 00:28:33.759 --> 00:28:34.699 and told 00:28:34.699 --> 00:28:35.039 them that 00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:35.539 one day 00:28:35.539 --> 00:28:36.240 they would 00:28:36.240 --> 00:28:36.679 see him 00:28:36.679 --> 00:28:37.199 sitting at 00:28:37.199 --> 00:28:37.519 the right 00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:37.919 hand of 00:28:37.919 --> 00:28:38.199 God. 00:28:40.740 --> 00:28:41.319 When they 00:28:41.319 --> 00:28:41.819 heard that, 00:28:41.899 --> 00:28:42.399 they charged 00:28:42.399 --> 00:28:42.740 him with 00:28:42.740 --> 00:28:43.419 blasphemy 00:28:43.419 --> 00:28:44.859 and condemned 00:28:44.859 --> 00:28:45.359 him to 00:28:45.359 --> 00:28:45.679 death. 00:28:47.399 --> 00:28:48.099 We read a 00:28:48.099 --> 00:28:48.439 little just 00:28:48.440 --> 00:28:48.820 down the 00:28:48.820 --> 00:28:49.380 page in 00:28:49.380 --> 00:28:50.640 verse 67. 00:28:51.620 --> 00:28:51.940 Then they 00:28:51.940 --> 00:28:52.420 spit in 00:28:52.420 --> 00:28:53.059 his face 00:28:53.059 --> 00:28:54.700 and struck 00:28:54.700 --> 00:28:55.100 him with 00:28:55.100 --> 00:28:55.799 their fists. 00:28:56.420 --> 00:28:56.900 Others 00:28:56.900 --> 00:28:58.480 slapped him 00:28:58.480 --> 00:28:59.000 and said, 00:29:00.080 --> 00:29:00.580 prophesy 00:29:00.580 --> 00:29:01.259 to us, 00:29:01.779 --> 00:29:02.200 Messiah, 00:29:02.860 --> 00:29:03.700 who hit 00:29:03.700 --> 00:29:03.920 you? 00:29:09.460 --> 00:29:10.360 Then Jesus 00:29:10.360 --> 00:29:10.820 was taken 00:29:10.820 --> 00:29:11.660 before Pilate. 00:29:12.799 --> 00:29:13.660 Pilate had 00:29:13.660 --> 00:29:14.920 Jesus flogged, 00:29:15.259 --> 00:29:16.080 even though 00:29:16.080 --> 00:29:16.700 in the trial 00:29:16.700 --> 00:29:17.740 he stated 00:29:17.740 --> 00:29:18.420 three times 00:29:18.420 --> 00:29:18.759 that he 00:29:18.759 --> 00:29:19.019 couldn't 00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:19.539 find any 00:29:19.539 --> 00:29:20.160 basis for 00:29:20.160 --> 00:29:20.580 a charge 00:29:20.580 --> 00:29:20.980 against 00:29:20.980 --> 00:29:21.200 him. 00:29:22.620 --> 00:29:23.320 We read 00:29:23.320 --> 00:29:23.680 there in 00:29:23.680 --> 00:29:24.400 John 19, 00:29:24.680 --> 00:29:25.400 the soldiers 00:29:25.400 --> 00:29:26.220 twisted together 00:29:26.220 --> 00:29:26.880 a crown of 00:29:26.880 --> 00:29:27.840 thorns and 00:29:27.840 --> 00:29:28.279 put it on 00:29:28.279 --> 00:29:28.720 his head. 00:29:29.440 --> 00:29:30.000 They clothed 00:29:30.000 --> 00:29:30.340 him in a 00:29:30.340 --> 00:29:30.900 purple robe 00:29:30.900 --> 00:29:31.279 and went 00:29:31.279 --> 00:29:32.080 up to him 00:29:32.080 --> 00:29:32.880 again and 00:29:32.880 --> 00:29:33.200 again, 00:29:33.320 --> 00:29:33.580 saying, 00:29:33.759 --> 00:29:34.019 Hail, 00:29:34.200 --> 00:29:34.500 King of 00:29:34.500 --> 00:29:35.060 the Jews, 00:29:35.539 --> 00:29:37.200 and they 00:29:37.200 --> 00:29:37.880 slapped him 00:29:37.880 --> 00:29:38.860 in the face. 00:29:38.859 --> 00:29:44.000 this mistreatment 00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:44.479 of Jesus 00:29:44.479 --> 00:29:45.359 by his enemies 00:29:45.359 --> 00:29:46.219 continued on 00:29:46.219 --> 00:29:46.599 until he 00:29:46.599 --> 00:29:47.199 arrived at 00:29:47.199 --> 00:29:47.859 Golgotha, 00:29:48.240 --> 00:29:48.779 the place 00:29:48.779 --> 00:29:49.379 that he was 00:29:49.379 --> 00:29:49.679 to be 00:29:49.679 --> 00:29:50.139 crucified. 00:29:50.799 --> 00:29:51.279 And what 00:29:51.279 --> 00:29:51.799 did they do 00:29:51.799 --> 00:29:52.139 there 00:29:52.139 --> 00:29:53.919 when they 00:29:53.919 --> 00:29:54.359 arrived? 00:29:55.359 --> 00:29:56.119 They stripped 00:29:56.119 --> 00:29:56.579 him of his 00:29:56.579 --> 00:29:57.039 clothes 00:29:57.039 --> 00:29:58.899 and they 00:29:58.899 --> 00:29:59.359 hung him up 00:29:59.359 --> 00:29:59.740 to die 00:29:59.740 --> 00:30:00.039 on the 00:30:00.039 --> 00:30:00.439 cross. 00:30:01.759 --> 00:30:02.699 The soldiers 00:30:02.699 --> 00:30:03.759 cast lots 00:30:03.759 --> 00:30:04.519 for his 00:30:04.519 --> 00:30:04.859 shirt 00:30:04.859 --> 00:30:07.359 in a 00:30:07.359 --> 00:30:07.759 manner of 00:30:07.759 --> 00:30:08.139 speaking. 00:30:09.459 --> 00:30:10.000 Jesus did 00:30:10.000 --> 00:30:10.719 not withhold 00:30:10.719 --> 00:30:11.919 his shirt 00:30:11.919 --> 00:30:13.479 from them. 00:30:15.179 --> 00:30:16.059 As Jesus 00:30:16.059 --> 00:30:16.479 hung there 00:30:16.479 --> 00:30:16.859 dying, 00:30:16.979 --> 00:30:17.379 they hurled 00:30:17.379 --> 00:30:18.079 insults at 00:30:18.079 --> 00:30:18.240 him. 00:30:18.859 --> 00:30:19.519 They mocked 00:30:19.519 --> 00:30:19.719 him. 00:30:21.740 --> 00:30:22.459 When the 00:30:22.459 --> 00:30:22.799 soldiers 00:30:22.799 --> 00:30:23.359 crucified 00:30:23.359 --> 00:30:23.979 Jesus, 00:30:24.199 --> 00:30:24.339 oh, 00:30:24.419 --> 00:30:24.639 sorry, 00:30:24.799 --> 00:30:25.179 the people 00:30:25.179 --> 00:30:25.919 stood watching 00:30:25.919 --> 00:30:26.279 and the 00:30:26.279 --> 00:30:26.879 rulers even 00:30:26.879 --> 00:30:27.459 sneered at 00:30:27.459 --> 00:30:27.659 him. 00:30:28.039 --> 00:30:28.459 They said, 00:30:28.619 --> 00:30:29.139 he saved 00:30:29.139 --> 00:30:29.539 others. 00:30:30.000 --> 00:30:30.299 Let him 00:30:30.299 --> 00:30:30.919 save himself 00:30:30.919 --> 00:30:31.459 if he's 00:30:31.459 --> 00:30:31.959 God's 00:30:31.959 --> 00:30:32.359 Messiah, 00:30:32.779 --> 00:30:33.299 the chosen 00:30:33.299 --> 00:30:33.659 one. 00:30:33.660 --> 00:30:35.000 And this 00:30:35.000 --> 00:30:35.440 is just a 00:30:35.440 --> 00:30:36.120 small sampling 00:30:36.120 --> 00:30:36.460 of the 00:30:36.460 --> 00:30:36.860 things they 00:30:36.860 --> 00:30:37.200 said. 00:30:39.240 --> 00:30:39.960 How did 00:30:39.960 --> 00:30:40.840 Jesus respond? 00:30:42.380 --> 00:30:43.100 There are 00:30:43.100 --> 00:30:43.759 seven things 00:30:43.759 --> 00:30:45.120 recorded in 00:30:45.120 --> 00:30:45.779 scripture that 00:30:45.779 --> 00:30:46.680 he said while 00:30:46.680 --> 00:30:47.120 up on the 00:30:47.120 --> 00:30:48.600 cross and 00:30:48.600 --> 00:30:49.980 not once did 00:30:49.980 --> 00:30:50.600 he curse his 00:30:50.600 --> 00:30:50.960 enemies. 00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:53.920 Not once did 00:30:53.920 --> 00:30:54.580 he insult 00:30:54.580 --> 00:30:56.040 those who 00:30:56.040 --> 00:30:56.500 were mocking 00:30:56.500 --> 00:30:56.840 him. 00:30:57.420 --> 00:30:58.240 Not once did 00:30:58.240 --> 00:30:58.960 he spit on 00:30:58.960 --> 00:31:00.420 them or 00:31:00.420 --> 00:31:01.200 retaliate in 00:31:01.200 --> 00:31:01.800 any way. 00:31:01.799 --> 00:31:04.119 instead he 00:31:04.119 --> 00:31:04.779 uttered the 00:31:04.779 --> 00:31:05.339 ultimate 00:31:05.339 --> 00:31:06.159 turning of 00:31:06.159 --> 00:31:06.500 the other 00:31:06.500 --> 00:31:08.359 cheek and 00:31:08.359 --> 00:31:08.980 he prayed 00:31:08.980 --> 00:31:10.200 for God 00:31:10.200 --> 00:31:11.099 to forgive 00:31:11.099 --> 00:31:11.480 them of 00:31:11.480 --> 00:31:12.039 their sins. 00:31:15.319 --> 00:31:16.000 He 00:31:16.000 --> 00:31:16.359 allowed 00:31:16.359 --> 00:31:17.019 himself to 00:31:17.019 --> 00:31:17.700 be wronged 00:31:17.700 --> 00:31:18.099 in the 00:31:18.099 --> 00:31:19.019 ultimate way 00:31:19.019 --> 00:31:20.079 though he 00:31:20.079 --> 00:31:20.720 didn't deserve 00:31:20.720 --> 00:31:20.899 it. 00:31:20.980 --> 00:31:21.440 He gave 00:31:21.440 --> 00:31:21.919 up his 00:31:21.919 --> 00:31:22.359 rights. 00:31:23.480 --> 00:31:24.279 He did 00:31:24.279 --> 00:31:24.680 not 00:31:24.680 --> 00:31:26.619 retaliate at 00:31:26.619 --> 00:31:26.819 all. 00:31:26.940 --> 00:31:27.599 He received 00:31:27.599 --> 00:31:28.220 the blows 00:31:28.220 --> 00:31:28.779 and the 00:31:28.779 --> 00:31:29.419 insults of 00:31:29.419 --> 00:31:30.000 others and 00:31:30.000 --> 00:31:30.359 he left 00:31:30.359 --> 00:31:30.980 justice. 00:31:31.799 --> 00:31:32.180 in the 00:31:32.180 --> 00:31:32.619 hands of 00:31:32.619 --> 00:31:32.940 God. 00:31:34.220 --> 00:31:35.139 The cross 00:31:35.139 --> 00:31:36.079 and all 00:31:36.079 --> 00:31:36.579 that led 00:31:36.579 --> 00:31:37.019 up to 00:31:37.019 --> 00:31:37.440 it is 00:31:37.440 --> 00:31:37.720 the 00:31:37.720 --> 00:31:38.240 ultimate 00:31:38.240 --> 00:31:39.279 turning 00:31:39.279 --> 00:31:40.819 of the 00:31:40.819 --> 00:31:41.039 other 00:31:41.039 --> 00:31:41.399 cheek. 00:31:44.680 --> 00:31:45.519 It's the 00:31:45.519 --> 00:31:45.940 ultimate 00:31:45.940 --> 00:31:46.799 letting people 00:31:46.799 --> 00:31:47.779 have the 00:31:47.779 --> 00:31:48.200 shirt as 00:31:48.200 --> 00:31:48.460 well. 00:31:52.460 --> 00:31:53.139 Jesus 00:31:53.139 --> 00:31:53.779 perfectly 00:31:53.779 --> 00:31:54.440 lived out 00:31:54.440 --> 00:31:55.639 what he 00:31:55.639 --> 00:31:56.379 instructed his 00:31:56.379 --> 00:31:57.139 disciples to 00:31:57.139 --> 00:31:58.700 do in 00:31:58.700 --> 00:31:59.220 Luke chapter 00:31:59.220 --> 00:31:59.879 6 where 00:31:59.880 --> 00:32:00.120 we're 00:32:00.120 --> 00:32:00.640 reading. 00:32:01.220 --> 00:32:01.680 He made 00:32:01.680 --> 00:32:02.180 his life 00:32:02.180 --> 00:32:02.600 and his 00:32:02.600 --> 00:32:03.560 death the 00:32:03.560 --> 00:32:03.980 ultimate 00:32:03.980 --> 00:32:04.760 example of 00:32:04.760 --> 00:32:04.920 it. 00:32:06.620 --> 00:32:07.380 In other 00:32:07.380 --> 00:32:07.620 words, 00:32:07.880 --> 00:32:08.340 turning the 00:32:08.340 --> 00:32:08.940 other cheek 00:32:08.940 --> 00:32:11.360 is the 00:32:11.360 --> 00:32:11.780 gospel. 00:32:14.840 --> 00:32:15.580 It's our 00:32:15.580 --> 00:32:16.160 opportunity 00:32:16.160 --> 00:32:16.920 whenever we 00:32:16.920 --> 00:32:17.660 are wronged 00:32:17.660 --> 00:32:19.080 to proclaim 00:32:19.080 --> 00:32:19.820 the gospel 00:32:19.820 --> 00:32:21.280 with our 00:32:21.280 --> 00:32:21.780 actions. 00:32:22.940 --> 00:32:23.700 To say, 00:32:23.820 --> 00:32:24.380 yes, I 00:32:24.380 --> 00:32:25.060 follow the 00:32:25.060 --> 00:32:26.940 one who 00:32:26.940 --> 00:32:27.980 loved his 00:32:27.980 --> 00:32:28.480 enemies, 00:32:28.839 --> 00:32:29.920 who did 00:32:29.920 --> 00:32:30.180 not 00:32:30.180 --> 00:32:30.960 retaliate. 00:32:32.660 --> 00:32:33.360 Just as 00:32:33.360 --> 00:32:34.039 he bore 00:32:34.039 --> 00:32:34.620 the wrongs 00:32:34.620 --> 00:32:35.059 of others 00:32:35.059 --> 00:32:35.680 to death, 00:32:35.900 --> 00:32:36.460 so too 00:32:36.460 --> 00:32:36.860 will I. 00:32:39.539 --> 00:32:40.160 I think 00:32:40.160 --> 00:32:40.480 this is 00:32:40.480 --> 00:32:40.880 maybe a 00:32:40.880 --> 00:32:41.160 part of 00:32:41.160 --> 00:32:41.579 what Jesus 00:32:41.579 --> 00:32:42.180 was talking 00:32:42.180 --> 00:32:42.720 about when 00:32:42.720 --> 00:32:43.180 he said, 00:32:43.720 --> 00:32:44.279 whoever wants 00:32:44.279 --> 00:32:44.860 to be my 00:32:44.860 --> 00:32:45.740 disciple must 00:32:45.740 --> 00:32:46.160 deny 00:32:46.160 --> 00:32:47.779 themselves and 00:32:47.779 --> 00:32:48.500 take up 00:32:48.500 --> 00:32:49.160 their cross 00:32:49.160 --> 00:32:50.779 and follow 00:32:50.779 --> 00:32:51.059 me. 00:32:52.799 --> 00:32:53.420 And so I 00:32:53.420 --> 00:32:53.640 want to 00:32:53.640 --> 00:32:54.200 encourage you 00:32:54.200 --> 00:32:54.640 this week 00:32:54.640 --> 00:32:55.140 just to 00:32:55.140 --> 00:32:55.480 look for 00:32:55.480 --> 00:32:56.160 opportunities 00:32:56.160 --> 00:32:57.620 to turn 00:32:57.620 --> 00:32:58.000 the other 00:32:58.000 --> 00:32:59.519 cheek and 00:32:59.519 --> 00:32:59.820 to let 00:32:59.820 --> 00:33:00.400 people have 00:33:00.400 --> 00:33:00.800 your shirt 00:33:00.800 --> 00:33:01.240 as well. 00:33:02.540 --> 00:33:03.200 And again, 00:33:03.279 --> 00:33:03.660 it may not 00:33:03.660 --> 00:33:04.340 be physical 00:33:04.340 --> 00:33:06.920 situations where 00:33:06.920 --> 00:33:07.320 they're trying 00:33:07.320 --> 00:33:08.300 to slap 00:33:08.300 --> 00:33:09.240 you, but 00:33:09.240 --> 00:33:11.140 probably things 00:33:11.140 --> 00:33:11.700 they say. 00:33:13.220 --> 00:33:13.620 Hurtful 00:33:13.620 --> 00:33:14.019 words, 00:33:15.380 --> 00:33:16.060 insults, 00:33:17.259 --> 00:33:17.860 rude tone. 00:33:20.180 --> 00:33:20.840 And I'll 00:33:20.840 --> 00:33:21.279 just leave it 00:33:21.279 --> 00:33:21.920 at that for 00:33:21.920 --> 00:33:22.860 the application 00:33:22.860 --> 00:33:23.440 part. 00:33:23.580 --> 00:33:24.080 But right 00:33:24.080 --> 00:33:24.600 now, let's 00:33:24.600 --> 00:33:25.220 just keep our 00:33:25.220 --> 00:33:25.640 eyes on 00:33:25.640 --> 00:33:26.200 Jesus for 00:33:26.200 --> 00:33:26.559 a moment 00:33:26.559 --> 00:33:26.940 and what 00:33:26.940 --> 00:33:27.380 he did 00:33:27.380 --> 00:33:28.000 on that 00:33:28.000 --> 00:33:28.680 cross for 00:33:28.680 --> 00:33:28.980 us. 00:33:29.839 --> 00:33:30.200 We're going 00:33:30.200 --> 00:33:30.559 to pass 00:33:30.559 --> 00:33:30.960 around the 00:33:30.960 --> 00:33:31.319 bread and 00:33:31.319 --> 00:33:31.660 the cup 00:33:31.660 --> 00:33:32.400 momentarily 00:33:32.400 --> 00:33:35.279 and as 00:33:35.279 --> 00:33:36.140 we think 00:33:36.140 --> 00:33:36.480 to the 00:33:36.480 --> 00:33:37.059 cross, as 00:33:37.059 --> 00:33:37.339 we look 00:33:37.339 --> 00:33:37.640 to the 00:33:37.640 --> 00:33:38.019 cross, 00:33:38.940 --> 00:33:40.720 we're 00:33:40.720 --> 00:33:41.259 reminded of 00:33:41.259 --> 00:33:41.620 what that 00:33:41.620 --> 00:33:41.880 bread 00:33:41.880 --> 00:33:42.600 represents. 00:33:44.100 --> 00:33:44.600 It 00:33:44.600 --> 00:33:45.059 represents 00:33:45.059 --> 00:33:45.460 Jesus' 00:33:45.660 --> 00:33:46.000 body, 00:33:46.480 --> 00:33:48.400 which 00:33:48.400 --> 00:33:48.839 received 00:33:48.839 --> 00:33:49.519 those blows, 00:33:49.720 --> 00:33:49.900 that 00:33:49.900 --> 00:33:50.559 treatment, 00:33:50.720 --> 00:33:50.860 that 00:33:50.860 --> 00:33:51.539 mistreatment 00:33:51.539 --> 00:33:52.200 for us. 00:33:52.200 --> 00:33:54.440 as we 00:33:54.440 --> 00:33:54.700 think of 00:33:54.700 --> 00:33:55.140 the cup, 00:33:55.680 --> 00:33:55.940 we're 00:33:55.940 --> 00:33:56.440 reminded of 00:33:56.440 --> 00:33:56.720 what it 00:33:56.720 --> 00:33:57.240 represents. 00:33:57.380 --> 00:33:57.480 It 00:33:57.480 --> 00:33:57.980 represents 00:33:57.980 --> 00:33:58.440 Jesus' 00:33:58.779 --> 00:33:59.180 blood, 00:33:59.759 --> 00:34:01.039 which was 00:34:01.039 --> 00:34:01.660 poured out 00:34:01.660 --> 00:34:03.400 for us 00:34:03.400 --> 00:34:05.039 to save 00:34:05.039 --> 00:34:05.360 us, 00:34:06.160 --> 00:34:07.660 to reconcile 00:34:07.660 --> 00:34:08.559 us, to 00:34:08.559 --> 00:34:09.240 forgive us, 00:34:09.420 --> 00:34:09.880 to cleanse 00:34:09.880 --> 00:34:10.280 us. 00:34:12.059 --> 00:34:12.820 And if 00:34:12.820 --> 00:34:13.240 you believe 00:34:13.240 --> 00:34:13.720 in Jesus, 00:34:14.119 --> 00:34:14.699 if you've 00:34:14.699 --> 00:34:15.240 made that 00:34:15.240 --> 00:34:16.039 good confession, 00:34:17.179 --> 00:34:18.480 that he is 00:34:18.480 --> 00:34:18.980 your Lord 00:34:18.980 --> 00:34:19.579 and your 00:34:19.579 --> 00:34:20.059 Savior, I 00:34:20.059 --> 00:34:20.639 invite you to 00:34:20.639 --> 00:34:21.219 partake with 00:34:21.219 --> 00:34:21.859 us as we 00:34:21.859 --> 00:34:22.519 do this 00:34:22.519 --> 00:34:22.900 together. 00:34:23.299 --> 00:34:23.799 If not, 00:34:23.900 --> 00:34:24.319 just let 00:34:24.319 --> 00:34:24.739 the cup 00:34:24.739 --> 00:34:25.440 and the 00:34:25.440 --> 00:34:26.000 bread pass 00:34:26.000 --> 00:34:26.400 you by. 00:34:27.639 --> 00:34:28.359 But let's 00:34:28.359 --> 00:34:28.819 take a few 00:34:28.819 --> 00:34:29.420 moments now 00:34:29.420 --> 00:34:30.239 to reflect 00:34:30.239 --> 00:34:31.859 and just 00:34:31.859 --> 00:34:32.279 talk to 00:34:32.279 --> 00:34:33.039 God quietly, 00:34:34.480 --> 00:34:34.980 to think 00:34:34.980 --> 00:34:35.400 about how 00:34:35.400 --> 00:34:36.119 Jesus turned 00:34:36.119 --> 00:34:36.480 the other 00:34:36.480 --> 00:34:36.980 cheek for 00:34:36.980 --> 00:34:37.299 us. 00:34:38.819 --> 00:34:39.359 And then 00:34:39.359 --> 00:34:40.539 after a few 00:34:40.539 --> 00:34:40.900 minutes, 00:34:41.219 --> 00:34:42.000 we'll have 00:34:42.000 --> 00:34:43.279 Charles and 00:34:43.279 --> 00:34:43.900 Rod will 00:34:43.900 --> 00:34:44.559 come up and 00:34:44.559 --> 00:34:45.519 serve us 00:34:45.519 --> 00:34:46.279 the elements. 00:34:46.879 --> 00:34:47.500 And as 00:34:47.500 --> 00:34:48.299 usual, we'll 00:34:48.299 --> 00:34:48.839 just hang on 00:34:48.839 --> 00:34:49.400 to them until 00:34:49.400 --> 00:34:50.099 everybody's been 00:34:50.099 --> 00:34:50.480 served. 00:34:50.639 --> 00:34:51.339 And then 00:34:51.339 --> 00:34:51.480 we'll 00:34:51.480 --> 00:34:51.859 partake 00:34:51.859 --> 00:34:52.059 all 00:34:52.059 --> 00:34:52.420 together. 00:34:52.420 --> 00:34:52.519 Amen.