Ending Revenge

Ending Revenge

Bible:Matthew 5:38-48

I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek,
turn to them the other cheek also (V.39).

Reading

The pastor of an inner-city church said in one sermon: “Some people believe in ‘an eye for an eye’. But round here, it’s two eyes for an eye. You can never even the score; you can only raise the stakes.” The people listening nodded— that was the reality they faced each day. We’ve seen it happen at school—someone does a hard tackle in a football game, the other person pushes back. It quickly grows into a fight. And we see it at home, when arguing with your brother or sister turns into insult after insult. We want to do more harm to the other person than they have managed to do to us! In Matthew 5, Jesus challenged a lot of the ways we behave towards other people. He used this kind of wording to show that the way to please God is very different: “You have heard that it was said . . . But I tell you . . .” (MATTHEW 5:38-39). His words about turning the other cheek, going the second mile and giving to those who ask sound radical and unrealistic (VV.38-42). Are we willing to think and pray about His teaching? Are we ready to show love, even when we are hurt? It’s not about becoming a doormat—it’s about ending the cycle of revenge. It’s about being brave enough to trust Jesus and forgive people, rather than trying to get back at them.

TO LOVE OUR FRIENDS IS NORMAL;
LOVING OUR ENEMIES IS NOT.
THAT’S WHY WE NEED JESUS TO HELP US.

Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries