Retaliation or retribution can come in many forms.  Jesus tells us something here that many think is absurd.  If someone strikes you on the right cheek you should turn to him the other cheek.  Now under the law we are certainly entitled to take an eye for and eye and a tooth for a tooth and this is what we tend to do from childhood to adulthood.  But Jesus is making a distinction here; yet, he is not contradicting the law.  Lex Telionis (law of retribution) stands as a law, but it is not necessary that man takes this action on his own accord.  If we choose not to retaliate we are choosing to show mercy instead.  Even God showed that he was a merciful God, especially when Jesus forgave those who put him to death on a cross.  Those who repented for their sins always received mercy.  So we can see here that there is a distinction between Moses’ retaliation and Jesus’ mercy.  By turning the cheek or giving the cloak in addition to the coat to the man who sues us we are showing him true charity. 

According to the law we are almost dutifully required to retaliate at least legally, but Jesus is telling us that we must go beyond the law that was imposed upon the flesh and live by the new law imposed upon the spirit.

We have to understand that this is not just an isolated commandment by Jesus, but an entire different way of living life. It is a new attitude towards others, ourselves and even God.  We have to remember that Jesus was not destroying the law that was imposed upon the flesh, but that he was fulfilling the law within himself. This new kingdom is not of the flesh, but of the spirit. Those who want to live in such a kingdom must abide by these new commands aimed at perfecting the spirit.

The lesson here is that we must always be prepared to show love to everyone including those who would take advantage of us.  We will see in the next verses that Jesus even extends this to our enemies.  We will discuss that next.