Photo Credit: Soroush Karimi
"...He did not open His mouth"
Jesus never commanded us to do anything He couldn’t or wouldn’t do Himself. He remains our greatest example.
While meditating on Matthew 5:38-42 yesterday, it suddenly occurred to me that Jesus was tempted with the very same ordeals He commanded us to yield rather than resist. It was as though His words prophesied about Himself also. So, it kept me wondering, what manner of life ought we to live. Everything He commanded in Matthew 5:38-42 He demonstrated for us on His way to the cross. Oh! what a savior He was indeed. He never gave us a burden so heavy we could not bear. Indeed, He will not allow us to be tempted beyond our capacity. If He did it then we too can!
Let’s do a parallel study of what Jesus commanded us and the life He demonstrated.
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
Was there a time He was slapped, beaten, that He retaliated?
Matthew 26:67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him.
Luke 22:63-64 Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as they beat him. They also blindfolded him and kept asking him, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?”
There you have it. Jesus was slapped but He did not retaliate.
And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. Matthew 5:40
Easy to say some may have thought. Wait till someone comes to take you garment, much less demand your coat?!
Matthew 27:28 They stripped off his clothes and put a scarlet robe on him.
John 19:23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.
19:24 "Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it." This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled that said, "They divided my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment."
So that is what the soldiers did.
If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Matthew 5:41
How about His journey down Via Dolorosa, how many miles was He compelled to go bearing the weight of the cross? One mile or two miles?
John 19:17-18 And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.
The total distance Jesus carried the cross is estimated at 650 yards. Convert that to miles and what you get isn’t up to a mile. Why couldn’t Jesus go the distance bearing the cross?
Now, here is the greatest lesson in this scripture in comparison to Jesus’ life. Jesus didn’t go the distance to Golgotha bearing His own cross. We know it wasn’t resistance. Why then couldn’t He? The body of Jesus was mutilated beyond recognition. He was barely able to stand, let alone able to bear the weight of his own cross. Scientifically, the human adult body contains about 3.5 liters of blood. Jesus poured most of it if not all before He got to the cross. There was no more strength to walk the distance much less carry a crossbar and its weight. The headless roman soldiers knew this hence the episode with Simon of Cyrene.
Luke 23:26 As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.
Also, historically, the third illustration about the miles actually refers to forced labour, such as impressing a peasant to carry military or official baggage or documents— a form of oppression only known too well under Roman rule in Christ’s days. And in the case of Jesus it was the weight of the cross. Therefore, the illustration about miles, isn’t so much about going the distance as it is about carrying the ‘weight of oppression.’
What this tells me then is this; ‘go two miles instead of one’ actually means ‘carry that load of oppression a mile longer.’ Carry it even if it breaks you.
Remember we’re told in Proverbs 24:10 If you falter in the time of trouble, how small is your strength? So, carry the load a mile longer even if your strength fails you.
Sounds unreasonable doesn’t it? And inapplicable too. But think about it a moment. If Jesus had help on the way to the cross by way of Simon the Cyrene, what makes you think He wouldn’t send you help through the Holy Spirit when it is your turn?
Philippians 4:16 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
We have help through Christ who strengthens us. He had helped with that crossbar, He wouldn’t abandon us when we need it. The reason is this:
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are yet he did not sin. — Hebrews 4:15
What was His attitude during the greatest trial of His lifetime here on earth?
Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
This scripture comparison brought me to my knees. I hope it does same for you. I pray that you find strength in God to go another mile, yield your garment, and turn the other cheek in the face of oppression and assault. This is the meaning of the cross! This is the cross we all have been commanded to carry and to journey along the very same path He traveled.
Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
If this is true? Then what manner of life ought we to live? Selah
Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet he did not sin.
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