Be Happy About It
1 Peter 2:23 says He did not retaliate when He was insulted, nor threaten revenge when He suffered. He left His case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. The Apostle Peter pens an incredible couple of sentences in verses 23 and 24 that immediately draw my attention. Jesus didn’t retaliate.
Trust me on this. It won’t take long for you to find an article, video, or even a tweet that tells you that you’re entitled to even the score. Society says you should seek revenge and, while you’re at it, let the world know how much you’re entitled to pay back what was done to you.
This is the story of my life. One of my daughters often wrongs the other, and the other then seeks a quick return on her loss, preferably a lightning-fast rendering of justice on her part. For example, the preferred seat in the car that faces the tv screen was occupied by someone who had it yesterday, and this caused a problem because their time was up. The other child pled her case in the matter of Daughter v Daughter, and she wanted Daddy or Mommy to make our ruling in her favor. She wanted justice for this grievance.
Jesus is all together distinctly different than what we expected. He chose not to retaliate to insults while bearing a wooden cross on His way to His death. He also defers from threatening revenge for the injustice that was done to Him. If Jesus defers, shouldn’t we? If the Son of Man leaves His case in the Father’s hands, how much more should we?
Pastor Aaron Kennedy makes a powerful statement in his message discussing the Sermon on the Mount. He says, “People’s treatment of us as Christ-followers should not dictate our treatment of them.” As believers, we surrender our “right” to retaliate. We surrender just as Christ Jesus surrendered His case to the great judge who is always fair.
Today, try to paint a mental picture in your mind of Jesus carrying His cross in front of a ruckus crowd, some hurling insults and some there just for a viewing. He’s bloody, barely breathing, greatly injured, probably unrecognizable and alone. On His way to Calvary outside of Jerusalem, He’s not speaking in tongues, not cursing, or calling down angels; He’s silent. He’s trusting. He’s gracious.
Matthew 5:11-12 says that we are blessed when are insulted and mocked. We should be happy about it for a great reward awaits us, not on earth but in heaven and in the hands of the One to whom I entrust my case, My Father.
JOURNAL: What is God speaking to you through this devotional?
ACTIVATION/PRAYER: Practice silence in prayer. Take 5 minutes and find a quiet place to pray. Instead of speaking, offer that time to God in silence before Him.
Trust me on this. It won’t take long for you to find an article, video, or even a tweet that tells you that you’re entitled to even the score. Society says you should seek revenge and, while you’re at it, let the world know how much you’re entitled to pay back what was done to you.
This is the story of my life. One of my daughters often wrongs the other, and the other then seeks a quick return on her loss, preferably a lightning-fast rendering of justice on her part. For example, the preferred seat in the car that faces the tv screen was occupied by someone who had it yesterday, and this caused a problem because their time was up. The other child pled her case in the matter of Daughter v Daughter, and she wanted Daddy or Mommy to make our ruling in her favor. She wanted justice for this grievance.
Jesus is all together distinctly different than what we expected. He chose not to retaliate to insults while bearing a wooden cross on His way to His death. He also defers from threatening revenge for the injustice that was done to Him. If Jesus defers, shouldn’t we? If the Son of Man leaves His case in the Father’s hands, how much more should we?
Pastor Aaron Kennedy makes a powerful statement in his message discussing the Sermon on the Mount. He says, “People’s treatment of us as Christ-followers should not dictate our treatment of them.” As believers, we surrender our “right” to retaliate. We surrender just as Christ Jesus surrendered His case to the great judge who is always fair.
Today, try to paint a mental picture in your mind of Jesus carrying His cross in front of a ruckus crowd, some hurling insults and some there just for a viewing. He’s bloody, barely breathing, greatly injured, probably unrecognizable and alone. On His way to Calvary outside of Jerusalem, He’s not speaking in tongues, not cursing, or calling down angels; He’s silent. He’s trusting. He’s gracious.
Matthew 5:11-12 says that we are blessed when are insulted and mocked. We should be happy about it for a great reward awaits us, not on earth but in heaven and in the hands of the One to whom I entrust my case, My Father.
JOURNAL: What is God speaking to you through this devotional?
ACTIVATION/PRAYER: Practice silence in prayer. Take 5 minutes and find a quiet place to pray. Instead of speaking, offer that time to God in silence before Him.
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