Return Good For Evil

"I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away." (1)

These words of Jesus "were but a reiteration of the teaching of the Old Testament. It is true that the rule, 'Eye for eye, tooth for tooth' (2), was a provision in the laws given through Moses; but it was a civil statute. None were justified in avenging themselves, for they had the words of the Lord: 'Say not thou, I will recompense evil.' (3) 'Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me.' (4) 'Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth.' (5) 'If he that hateth thee be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink.' (6)

"The whole earthly life of Jesus was a manifestation of this principle. It was to bring the bread of life to His enemies that our Saviour left His home in heaven. Though calumny and persecution were heaped upon Him from the cradle to the grave, they called forth from Him only the expression of forgiving love. Through the prophet Isaiah He says, 'I gave My back to the smiters, and My cheeks to them that plucked off the hair. I hid not My face from shame and spitting.' (7) 'He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth.' (8) And from the cross of Calvary there comes down through the ages His prayer for His murderers and the message of hope to the dying thief.

"The Father's presence encircled Christ, and nothing befell Him but that which infinite love permitted for the blessing of the world. Here was His source of comfort, and it is for us. He who is imbued with the Spirit of Christ abides in Christ. The blow that is aimed at him falls upon the Saviour, who surrounds him with His presence. Whatever comes to him comes from Christ. He has no need to resist evil, for Christ is his defense. Nothing can touch him except by our Lord's permission, and 'all things' that are permitted 'work together for good to them that love God.' (9)." (10)

1. Matthew 5:39-42.
2. Leviticus 24:20.
3. Proverbs 20:22.
4. Proverbs 24:29.
5. Proverbs 24:17.
6. Proverbs 25:21.
7. Isaiah 50:6.
8. Isaiah 53:7.
9. Romans 8:28.
10. Thoughts From The Mount Of Blessing, pp., 69-73.