Turn The Other Cheek
Matthew 5:38

    In the Law of Moses it was generally the case that if Joe pocked his brother Nick's eye out, Nick could poke Joe's eye out in return. The reality of this shadow was to force someone to think about the second greatest commandment, which is expressed as the Golden rule: "Do onto others as you would want them to do onto you." If you are willing to hurt someone then by this law you yourself must be willing to be hurt in the exact same way. 

Leviticus 24:17-21 GNB "Any who commit murder shall be put to death, 18 and any who kill an animal belonging to someone else must replace it. The principle is a life for a life. 19 "If any of you injure another person, whatever you have done shall be done to you. 20 If you break a bone, one of your bones shall be broken; if you put out an eye, one of your eyes shall be put out; if you knock out a tooth, one of your teeth shall be knocked out. Whatever injury you cause another person shall be done to you in return. 21 Whoever kills an animal shall replace it, but whoever kills a human being shall be put to death.

    Suppose Nick decided not to get even, and forgives Joe. Would that not be treasure in heaven for Nick? Would that not stop the possible “tit for tat” we see when those on both sides want to get vengeance? Finally is it not to YHWH that vengeance belongs?

Nahum 1:2 GNB YHWH God tolerates no rivals; he punishes those who oppose him. In his anger he pays them back.

Proverbs 20:22 GNB Don't take it on yourself to repay a wrong. Trust YHWH and he will make it right.

Romans 12:19-21 KJVA Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

    If indeed Joe is wicked, then in the final judgment Nick will be blessed for forgiving Joe, and Joe will be reproved by God. Messiah therefore commands us to turn the other cheek if slapped and to allow the wicked one to remain in his wickedness, while the good are commanded to wait patiently for their God to come save them.

Revelation 22:10-11 GNB 10 And he said to me, "Do not keep the prophetic words of this book a secret, because the time is near when all this will happen. 11 Whoever is evil must go on doing evil, and whoever is filthy must go on being filthy; whoever is good must go on doing good, and whoever is holy must go on being holy."

    If we as Christians are working for a wicked overseer, or a good one, then we should not only do what they tell us to do but we should show eagerness to do twice as much.

Ephesians 6:5-8 GNB Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling; and do it with a sincere heart, as though you were serving Christ. 6 Do this not only when they are watching you, because you want to gain their approval; but with all your heart do what God wants, as slaves of Christ. 7 Do your work as slaves cheerfully, as though you served the Lord, and not merely human beings. 8 Remember that the Lord will reward each of us, whether slave or free, for the good work we do.

Luke 17:7-10 GNB  "Suppose one of you has a servant who is plowing or looking after the sheep. When he comes in from the field, do you tell him to hurry along and eat his meal?  8  Of course not! Instead, you say to him, 'Get my supper ready, then put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may have your meal.'  9  The servant does not deserve thanks for obeying orders, does he?  10  It is the same with you; when you have done all you have been told to do, say, 'We are ordinary servants; we have only done our duty.' "

    If we encounter one of our brothers asking for a loan or for food, or money, then it is our duty to give him what he asks for without the thought of how much we are losing, even if it means that we might have to suffer. If someone takes us to court then we should settle up with twice as much. This shows our Father in the heavens our faith in him and that we are not concerned with anything material on the earth, but our treasure in the heavens; moreover, we are letting our light shine on men.

1 Peter 2:20-23 KJVA For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: