NOTES for Mat 5:38-48
It is hard to take in what is said here. Here we are given the very commandments that opponents of Christianity have been used to mocking for centuries. Let us not deny that Christians themselves also find them hard to take in.
But let us note that Christ nowhere speaks of nonresistance to evil. After all, He Himself, in the wilderness not long before this, resisted temptations, that is, the same evil. What is being discussed here is nonresistance to the evil one, that is, to a person possessed by evil. But evil is the disease with which all of us are infected, and from which Christ wants to heal us.
In ordinary perception, the words about turning the right cheek have for too long seemed like another name for weakness and surrender. But for some reason few people notice that in many situations turning the cheek requires courage. For example, we may rightly say that a person who goes unarmed to meet enemies, whether a negotiator trying to enter talks about a ceasefire or someone going to take the place of captured hostages, is turning the other cheek for the sake of saving people. And in general, anyone who tries to stop hostility, especially deep-rooted hostility, risks being beaten by both sides. Yet such attempts do not cease.
If we think about it, we are offered here the most normal rules of behavior: not to be fixated on ourselves, not to be greedy, to forgive offenses. But these commandments are strengthened by the call not to divide people into ours and enemies. In essence, the Lord calls us to begin ending hostility and hatred.
And here Jesus reveals to us the height to which we are called to rise. He calls the disciples not simply to keeping the commandments or to piety; that is not enough. We must become perfect, as our Heavenly Father is perfect.
Of course, we are used to considering ourselves weak sinners, but neither sins nor weaknesses should rule over us, because Christ came precisely to free us from them.
What Christ offers us here still seems impossible to most people. But if we want to do only what is within our power, we will not have enough strength even for that.