Does God care about your emotional health, or does he command you to be a doormat to those who willfully stomp all over you? The first answer is yes, and the second is no. So why did Jesus say this? “I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles” (Matthew 5:39,41).
Jesus was talking about something his Jewish listeners despised. It was Roman law that a soldier could force any conquered civilian to carry his heavy soldier’s pack a mile. If the civilian didn’t or couldn’t, the soldier brutalized them.
Jesus told them and us today to “go with them two miles.” Why? Bullies like to bully when their victims feel victimized. If we don’t give bullies the satisfaction of our pain, they move on. When we show them kindness, it can change their perspective on us and others. This is what we pray for in the Lord’s Prayer, that God would forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Those who bully often have hurt they don’t know how to express. Pray for them. Treat them with kindness. Go out of your way (even an extra mile) to show them the love of Christ as Jesus has shown to you.
