10/30- Turning the Cheek

10/30- Thursday 1 Peter 3:9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

 Bonhoeffer: “In confession occurs the break-through to the Cross.  The root of all sin is pride: ‘I want to be my own law, I have a right to my self, my hatred and my desires, my life and my death…Jesus Christ was not ashamed to be crucified for us as an evildoer.  It is nothing else but our fellowship with Jesus Christ that leads us to the ignominious dying that comes in confession, in order that we may in truth share in his Cross.  The Cross of Jesus Christ destroys all pride.”

Thoughts: The Bible at one point speaks of fairness- “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.”  This command was given so that we do not take revenge too far- “two eyes for one eye or a life for a tooth.”  As someone said, “The problem with this idea of fairness is that we will all end up blind and toothless.”  Fairness is good, but forgiveness is best.  The turning of the other cheek is found in these verses in 1 Peter.   When we are degraded or cut down by another, let us seek to encourage.  This is harder than it looks on the surface.  There are always bullies.  Bullies in a place of authority or who use their office to put down others is hard to swallow.  For Christians, this is not just a good idea.  It is a hope.  God sees us when others persecute us or torture us and He rewards those who are a blessing in the face of such torment.  This does not just involve some kind of selfish idea of reward- but it involves the idea that in the end good will win.  It takes this confidence and faith to really consistently turn the other cheek.  The confidence that good will win is not just wishful or positive thinking – it is a tenure of faith in a good God who created all goodness and will bless those who are a blessing.   

Prayer:  Give me confidence in you, Lord, that I may have the grace to repay evil with good today.  

A Korean Tale- Turning the other cheek

But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. (Matthew 5:39)

Thoughts: When we visited South Korea's Soon Chuun region we ran across a riveting true story from the time of the Korean War.  The Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Soon Chuun saw the North Korean invade his region, almost pushing the South Korean army out of the country.  The Christians were immediately persecuted.  South Korean academics and religious leaders were rounded up and executed.  One North Korean soldier tried to get the pastor of the Presbyterian church to recant his faith.  He would not.  The soldier threatened to kill his son if he did not recant, but the pastor regrettably refused.  The North Korean then shot the pastor's son.  The American and South Korean army retook the area.  The North Korean soldier was arrested, and was put on trial for shooting the pastor's son.  But the Presbyterian pastor attended the trial and said he forgave the man who shot his son thus assuring his release.  The soldier became a believer after that.  Later the pastor adopted this  former soldier as his own son.  Tales like this were duplicated all over the Korean peninsula and are reasons why the church in South Korea has exploded.  Today there are more Presbyterians in South Korea than in the United States and the largest church in the world and the largest Presbyterian church in the world are in South Korea.  

Prayer: We pray tonight, Lord for peace in the Korean Peninsula and for the protection for the believers there.  May they stand firm and strong, Lord.