On the one hand you have Ahab and Jezebel. They are only concerned for what they want and they aren't concerned about who gets hurt in order for them to get it. On the other hand we have the advice of Jesus.
If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic,
hand him your cloak as well.
Self-interest is the seed is violence. It begins with withholding what we have from those who need it more than we do. It can eventually become the full-fledged taking of what we want from others at their expense. The initial fearful self protective impulse is always the same. And it is this that Jesus wants us to change.
But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.
When someone strikes you on your right cheek,
turn the other one to him as well.
In Christ, no one can truly hurt us.
"I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do" (see Luke 12:4).
No one can take anything from us that which matters most. Our treasure is in heaven.
"lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal" (see Matthew 6:20).
The point isn't that we should be doormats or pushovers or give away all of our possessions or even spend all of our time in volunteer work. The point is to cut to the core of this need to protect ourselves that prevents us from doing these things more often. It is a call to trust more in God than in ourselves.
Hearken to my words, O LORD,
attend to my sighing.
Heed my call for help,
my king and my God!
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