I am deeply sorry, I was wrong

May 26, 2020,

I m very sorry for yesterday's blog. I reflected on what Jesus means to me, but I left one of Jesus' teachings hanging out there, under interpreted .

It is never ever okay to abuse anyone either physically, emotionally and spiritually. Never.

I said yesterday, " He suggests that you give up your cloak, let the abuser give your other cheek to smack, and walk the extra mile.

It is never okay to abuse anyone, female, male, parents, daughters, sons, anyone ever !

In Matthew 5 39-42 ( in the NIV ) Jesus says :

"If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.  If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.  Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you."

Walter Wink ( 1935-2012 ) a Biblical scholar explains to us a way to interpret the turning of the cheek.  Soldiers and slaves were intimidated, ridiculed and abused by their generals and masters. They would slap them with their right hand across their face. To turn the other cheek, meant the general would have to hit you with the back of his left hand. This meant the slave or soldier was at the same level as the slave owner or general . It evened out the relationship. It meant that you were strong, and not just taking it as abuse. The other two examples in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount also broke the political and social norms. By giving your second piece of clothing might have meant that you were going naked, and that embarrassed the person in power. And by going the second mile, you did more than you should have done for the military. It was speaking to power without killing anyone. In the Gospel. the power dynamics are all upset ! This is the new kingdom of God on this earth, and for the here and now.

It is never right to abuse anyone. I take full responsibility if that is how you understood it, and how you heard my words. I am deeply sorry for that.

Dear God,

Sometimes,

      the best thing we can

                  do for each other

                          is talk honestly

                                about being wrong.    Amen

                                                                               —– Nadia Bolz-Weber

In our walk together of faith and life,

Fred Redekop