we have probably all heard the phrase “turn the other cheek”. taken from the sermon on the mount, it’s often used to encourage us to rise above, to take the high road when others may take the low, to sit back and be passive. but, of course, the full quotation is: “if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also”. Jesus lived in a right-handed world, where the left hand was reserved only for unclean tasks. we can make a guess that the person doing the striking was, therefore, right handed, and used their right hand. the only way to strike someone on their right cheek with your right hand is with a backhand slap, something that suggested an insult rather than a fist fight. people did this to those that they had power over, not to equals. so why turn the other cheek? well, out of defiance. to backhand slap again would force the person to use their left hand, and admit that their action is unclean (remember how i said above that the left hand was reserved for unclean tasks!). but to hit with their right hand would be recognising this person as their equal. for the evil-doer, this is a lose/lose situation. either way, the person that they have struck has made their point: they are equal. they are individual. they do not submit. to turn the other cheek is not to be passive and complacent, it is to challenge. rather than telling His followers to ignore the evildoer, Jesus is encouraging them to go and find creative ways to assert their identity, their humanity, and God’s love.
