You know when you hear a phrase twice in 2 days it is interesting – but three times? Then you know something is up with the Lord telling you something – but then four times? Well, pick up your keyboard and start writing – that is what I hear the Lord saying to me – then and now!!! Heard that phrase 4 times in 2 days, I am not kidding. I best write about it!

“A Slap in the Face” – which is adding insult to injury – you can feel pain both ways – now you can grumble or you can do what Jesus said: turn the other cheek – which of course also turns your eyes away from the one slapping you.

4th instance (today) I heard this phrase in the title of the sermon as a podcast – about Jesus receiving a slap in the face during questioning after His arrest. Jesus said “I have spoken openly to the world… I said nothing in secret.” And one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded. “If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?” (Jesus was an innocent man and He DID speak the truth, only others couldn’t always understand. )

3rd instance (today) – it was in the newspaper – printed in April or so – a local town newspaper that has been around my house waiting for me to read – the article on zoning changes – someone described them as a slap in the face. Hmmm… (That’s a personal decision to take things personally. )

2nd instance (yesterday) – someone at a work meeting described the extra work they had to do when people weren’t cleaning up after themselves – that was like a slap in the face … Hmmm… (I told him to not take it personally.)

1st instance (yesterday) I heard this phrase 1st as actually Jesus saying it Himself in “The Jesus Film” – from a 3 minute preview clip (JesusGiftCard.org) that a friend sent – it is a good snippet of the film and full of Jesus’s teachings. With Jesus teaching “turn the other cheek” – yes that is easier said than done – but for Jesus it was a Way of life – it requires us to stand in Jesus strength – and it means we CAN do this because He took the worst slap in the face for us – we can give our cheeks because He gave His Life.

What about slaps in the face (or perceived slaps in the face) being personal? Well we decide to accept that or not. We can’t prevent the slap but we can prevent the insult from sinking in. Jesus gave of His whole earthly body to absorb the blows, we can pull in His Heavenly Spirit and His indwelling Spirit to strengthen our jars of clay, to walk away, to live for another day.

What do I personally do that is a slap in the face to the Lord? And does He take it personally? Well, me not turning my face to offer the other cheek becomes resentment and therefore Jesus steps in to cleanse me and take the slap. Me not giving God credit where credit is due, that’s a slap in the face by my misguidedness – Jesus takes that silently but sometimes I hear the earth shaking and darkness falling from my failing.

Jesus does not resist taking the slap because He sees the war with evil, not with us. Jesus already Won the war, He’s still in all these battles for us now because we sometimes forget to let Him win our circumstances too.

Best to hear Jesus says this directly, Matthew 5:38-48 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 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. 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.

Love for Enemies: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Amen Jesus, You make us perfect.
Amen Jesus, You give us strength.
Amen Jesus, thank You for Your Love.

Amen

---