Don’t Get Slapped

I love Jesus' sense of humor. Well,  most people missed it. Try this: "If a soldier demands that you carry his baggage for a mile, carry it two miles." Imagine taking his baggage a mile away from his destination!

Another worse misunderstood statement of Jesus which developed into a dysfunctional culture is this: "If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also" Did Jesus do it? No. But some Christians misinterpreted it and adapted false humility.

This is how being slapped on the RIGHT cheek. A backhand slap sends a strong cultural and psychological signal to its recipient: “We are not on the same level.” “I am the master, you’re a slave.” “I am rich, and you’re slum.” “I am somebody, and you’re nobody.”

So, when Jesus said, ‘offer the OTHER cheek ( the left cheek),’ Jesus was telling us": “Don’t get slapped!”  Tell the slapper:  “You’re not better than I in anyway! We have the same dignity!”

“In Jesus' time, and still today in the Middle East, such a gesture is one of the highest forms of contempt.” Equals hit each other with open right hand slaps.

This jest is about equal dignity, assertiveness and freedom, not false humility…

 

Father,
Forgive us for missing some of Your humor.
It’s funny indeed to think that we take life so seriously.
From now on, we’ll strive not to be slapped with
The unfairness and inequality the world.
We promise to respect the human dignity and freedom,
And be assertive of our right,
In Jesus’ Name.
Amen.