The Other Cheek by Mark Spencer

I remember the look
On my attacker’s face,
When a left to the jaw
Put him right in his place.

He thought the Christian way
Meant turn the other cheek.
Open invitations
To prey upon the meek.

Misinterpretations
Of scriptural intent,
Have obscured the gospel
And what our Savior meant.

If someone strikes your cheek,
Offer him the other.
If he strikes that also,
You don’t have another.

You only have two cheeks,
When you’re under attack.
If that is not enough,
It’s time that you fight back.

Jesus took your beating,
And they put Him to death.
He endured that for you,
Until His final breath.

Then He faced hell’s fury,
For three days in the hole.
To offer salvation
To each penitent soul.

He did not ask that you
Should be beaten as well.
For He has paid that price,
He took your place in hell.

So if your enemies
Relentlessly attack,
When you’ve run out of cheeks,
It’s not wrong to fight back.

He may intend you harm,
The purpose for this strife;
He may leave you crippled,
Or even take your life.

Twice I gave him chances,
But he thought I was weak.
He said only cowards
Will turn the other cheek.

When the ball of my hand
Met the side of his jaw,
He crumbled to the ground
Like he was made of straw.

Mine was a reaction
That he didn’t expect.
Through that experience,
I think he learned respect.

Perhaps he might think twice,
Ere he prey on the meek.
He’s seen what comes after
We turn the other cheek.

Catyrose (128.123.220.181) -- Tuesday, May 16 2006, 06:17 pm

You made a good point here
so many people think that if you profess to be spiritual or a christian that you are a push over. Not the case at all! Enjoyed your poem. Thanks for sharing.

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