"If You Love Me, Keep My Commandments"

So what were Christs commandments? What did he teach and what did he instruct those who profess to follow him to do. How should we live as those who wish to honor his word? Like the Law of Moses, Christ's commandments weren't given in one easy to digest list. Rather they were delivered in a series of parables, teachings and exhortations, as well as examples. In this section we will examine those teachings in the clear simple light in which they were given in the 4 Gospels as we have them.

Turning the Other Cheek

Perhaps the most well known commandment was Christ's admonintion to "turn the other cheek". It is often unfortunatley the one least followed and respected. We've all heard it but today most self professed Christians attempt to minimalize this commandment and even outright dismiss it. The internet is full of Christian websites that dismiss the idea of Christ as a pacifist. They reject the idea of Jesus being meek or humble, and call such things "sissy" and instead attempt to paint Jesus as a "manly man" as if being able to turn the other cheek is somehow not manly. This is the prevailing notion in the majority of Christian churches today, with "God'n Guns" being the new standard. Of course the Gospels were clear on the subject, as was Christ. "Resist not evil" was not just a commandment he verbally admonished those who would follow him to adhere to, he also taught by example. From his dealings with others to his submission to authority to his death on the Cross, Christ lived the example of "turn the other cheek".
In Matthew 5:38 and 39 we find the historic lesson.

"Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also."

 

In the first part we see Christ reference the Law of Moses. In "ye have heard that it hath been said", Christ was acknowledging the well known Mosaic doctrine normally recognized as passage from the Torah in Exodus;

"Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe."

 

This passage from Exodus 21:24 made up a core of Mosaic law and ritual and it is significant that he quoted this prior to providing his own new commandment. Although Christ implied he paid homage to the Mosaic law, the fact was he was now completely changing it and delivering to his would be followers the exact opposite by way of commandment. Instead of "an eye for an eye" or stripe for stripe, (referring to the stripes left on the back of a person following a beating from a whip) he now commanded his followers to do the exact opposite. If someone hits you on one side, turn the other to them.Some self professed pastors and preachers try to explain away this passage by diminishing the intent. They often claim that he meant only if someone slaps you lightly are you expexted to turn the other cheek. However it is Christ's reference of the Mosaic passage in Exodus that makes it clear he meant no such thing as the Exodus passage he quotes goes much further than a simple slap across the cheek. Stripes referring to beatings by a whip far exceed any passive display of anger by a benign assailant. And of course Christs own example confirmed this by his passive acceptance of beatings at the hands of the Romans and more.

 

The Meek Will Inherit the Earth

 

The American Heritage Dictionary defines the word "Meek" as "Showing patience and humility; gentle". In Matthew Chapter 5, verse 5 Jesus taught us; "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth" But of course the idea of the "Meek" being successful at anything much less inheriting the earth in modern day America is the antithesis of our national philosophy. Not just strength, but power is worshiped above all else. The "meek" are looked down on and seen as weak and meekness is not a goal often aspired to. Yet the meek are blessed as we are taught not only by Christ, but throughout the Psalms of the Old Testament as well. When Christ stated this, he was reiterating the teachings of the Psalmist and reinforcing this timeless precept. This message stands in stark contrast to modern day philosophy that the only the powerful are worthy of inheriting the earth. Meekness is frowned upon and associated with negativity and failure. Yet many of those who hold these opinions also call themselves Christian. The humble Christian however knows that humility and meekness are key's to the kingdom, not obstacles and strive to adhere to this core of Christ's commandments.