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.
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? Matthew 5:38-47
Speaking truth to power. It’s one of the buzz phrases that are used in our day. It’s offered by those who want to promote social justice. The basic premise is that those in power need someone to tell them the truth even if that truth is unwanted. I agree. Speaking truth to power has a rich tradition that is seen throughout the Bible from the prophets in the Old Testament to the ministry of Jesus and beyond. Those in power need to hear the truth.
But what about the powerless? Do they need to hear any truth? Or are they just helpless victims who have no responsibility for how they respond to the unjust actions of those in power?
I think there is an answer to these questions in the teachings of Jesus. Before we examine his words, let’s be reminded of the social setting that gave rise to them. In the first century, Rome ruled with an iron fist. They used that iron fist to oppress those under their control. It was common, for instance, for a Roman soldier to force a nearby Jew to carry their gear for a mile. Furthermore, a Roman was free to slap the face of a Jew who may have offended him in some way. On it went.
Those who were powerless had little they could do to respond. That frustration gave rise to such groups as the zealots who sought to foment uprisings in order to rid themselves of their Roman oppressors. In their minds, the only good Roman was a dead Roman. Sadly, those uprisings were met by violent and crushing responses from Rome. As a result, most first century Jews opted for a less extreme response. They simply hated the Romans as they prayed for the day when the Messiah would come and destroy them all.
It was in this charged atmosphere that Jesus gave His teachings. “Turn the other cheek,” He said. “Go with them two miles.” “Love and pray for those who persecute you.” The words are hard to hear. In fact, I remember a church member once resisting this teaching by suggesting that some bad people just need “a good whoopin’.” Jesus had a different take. He thought that bad people need a good “lovin’.”
Paul picked up on this same idea when he wrote his letter to the Romans. In chapter 12 verse 20 he wrote, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Burning coals indeed. Burning coals of conviction as undeserved mercy is poured upon them.
As you read this, you may be thinking to yourself, “That’s easy to say being that you’re a white male who hasn’t suffered from much if any oppression, but walk a mile in my shoes and you’ll see it differently.” I hear you. Although I have experienced some oppression, it’s been minor compared with what many people have to face.
So let us hear from someone who has experienced oppression. On November 17, 1957, Dr. Martin Luther King was the guest preacher at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. During his message, he addressed the topic of how to righteously deal with oppression. In his audience were those who knew oppression first hand. And yet Dr. King challenged the notion that you meet oppression with violence. Instead he spoke about the transforming power of love. Midway through his sermon he said the following:
And this is what Jesus means, I think, in this very passage when he says, “Love your enemy.” And it’s significant that he does not say, “Like your enemy.” Like is a sentimental something, an affectionate something. There are a lot of people that I find it difficult to like. I don’t like what they do to me. I don’t like what they say about me and other people. I don’t like their attitudes. I don’t like some of the things they’re doing. I don’t like them. But Jesus says love them. And love is greater than like. Love is understanding, redemptive goodwill for all men, so that you love everybody, because God loves them. You refuse to do anything that will defeat an individual, because you have agape in your soul. And here you come to the point that you love the individual who does the evil deed, while hating the deed that the person does. This is what Jesus means when he says, “Love your enemy.” This is the way to do it. When the opportunity presents itself when you can defeat your enemy, you must not do it.
Later he added this:
Love has within it a redemptive power. And there is a power there that eventually transforms individuals. That’s why Jesus says, “Love your enemies.” Because if you hate your enemies, you have no way to redeem and to transform your enemies. But if you love your enemies, you will discover that at the very root of love is the power of redemption. You just keep loving people and keep loving them, even though they’re mistreating you. Here’s the person who is a neighbor, and this person is doing something wrong to you and all of that. Just keep being friendly to that person. Keep loving them. Don’t do anything to embarrass them. Just keep loving them, and they can’t stand it too long. Oh, they react in many ways in the beginning. They react with bitterness because they’re mad because you love them like that. They react with guilt feelings, and sometimes they’ll hate you a little more at that transition period, but just keep loving them. And by the power of your love they will break down under the load. That’s love, you see. It is redemptive, and this is why Jesus says love. There’s something about love that builds up and is creative. There is something about hate that tears down and is destructive. So love your enemies.
Do you feel powerless? Is there someone or some group that is oppressing you? If so, there is a word of truth for you. Love. This doesn’t mean to cower in acquiescence. Love is an active thing. It seeks for the best for others not because they deserve it, but because they need it. Such loves not only has the potential to transform the powerful, as Dr. King noted, but it also has the ability to transform the powerless.
So speak truth to power? Absolutely. Use whatever power you have to advocate for those who are being unjustly treated? Definitely. Just don’t forget that the powerless need a word of truth as well – a word that empowers them in all the ways that truly matter.