To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. — Luke 6:29 NKJV
If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. — Luke 6:29 NIV
Reflection on Verse for Today
Although God is a God of justice and must punish all sin, He is also a God of love and mercy, kindness and compassion, longsuffering and great goodness. As His children, we are commanded to emulate the godly traits and merciful attitude that He has shown to each of us who has been saved by grace through faith in Him.
Never forget that forgiveness will lead to forgiveness, mercy will follow mercy, and punishment will result in punishment. Also, someone who is punished will also be punished, both in this life and in the next.
When Jesus said, “Whoever strikes you on the cheek, turn to him likewise the other; and whatsoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either,” he was referring to physical contact. When Jesus humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even death on a Cross—by living it throughout His earthly existence as an example of how we should live in this twisted and corrupt world, He did not merely speak it out loud. Let us honestly and really accept the message of Christ, deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him.
My Prayer
Heavenly Father, in a violent world where many people’s love has become ice-cold, there is frequently a temptation to criticize, condemn, and exact revenge on those who attack or harm us or those we love. Please grant me the ability to follow Christ’s example and to treat people with love. To Your glory, help me to put this verse into practice in my day-to-day activities by taking up my cross and following you. I ask in the name of Jesus, Amen.