Be FreeSample

Freedom in Serving

In this passage, Jesus teaches about a behavior that transcends ordinary human justice. In the cultural context of that time, a slap on the right cheek was a permitted act by Roman authorities. However, offering the left cheek was unexpected. To slap the left cheek, a soldier would need to use the back of their hand—a gesture considered an abuse of authority that could incur penalties. By offering the other cheek, Jesus was not advocating for violence but showing a path that confronts the oppressor without retaliation, revealing an inner freedom.

When Jesus speaks of the cloak, He addresses a common social reality. Most people of that time owned only two pieces of clothing: an inner tunic and an outer cloak. The law allowed a creditor to take another’s tunic as payment for debt. But Jesus goes further and says, "Give your cloak as well." Giving up both pieces would mean being left naked, a shameful state in Jewish culture. Yet, by offering the cloak as well, Jesus teaches us to live transparently, with nothing to hide, revealing the integrity and freedom of one who fully trusts in God.

The final instruction Jesus gives in this passage refers to the Roman practice of compelling someone to carry a soldier’s belongings for one mile. A Roman mile was approximately 1,480 meters. While legally allowed, it was an oppressive demand. Yet Jesus teaches His disciples to go not just one mile but two. This is an act of inner freedom—walking beyond what is required demonstrates that one is acting out of love and service, not obligation.

The freedom Christ offers is not only to resist oppression but to transform our attitude toward injustice. When we go the extra mile or offer more than is demanded, we live a level of freedom that surpasses earthly circumstances. We declare that even in a world that tries to subjugate us, we choose to serve because we are free. We don’t serve out of obligation, but out of love, for our freedom in Christ empowers us to act with generosity and grace.

Are you living your freedom in Christ in a way that serves, even when not required? Are you facing challenges with a heart willing to go beyond what is demanded, knowing that the Lord calls you to a life of loving service?