Following Christ's Example
Saturday, August 29, 2009
by Dr. Paul Chappell
"And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing."
Matthew 27:11-12
Sometimes the best response to an attack is a silent prayer for those attacking you.
Many people during the era of World War I were well-acquainted with the name of Georges Clemenceau. Known for his work on the Treaty of Versailles, the Prime Minister of France helped in much of the peace negotiations at the end of the war. On the day he was to meet with United States President Woodrow Wilson, Clemenceau was shot by French anarchist Emile Cottin. After Cottin shot at Clemenceau once, he continued to fire six more shots as Clemenceau was shoved into a car and driven away. Only one of the shots struck Clemenceau, and he soon recovered from the wound. Cottin was captured and sentenced to death for the crime, but in a surprising act, Clemenceau objected to the sentencing. He stated his reasoning as such: "We have just won the most terrible war in history, yet here is a Frenchman who misses his target six out of seven times at point-blank range. Of course this fellow must be punished for the careless use of a dangerous weapon and for poor marksmanship. I suggest that he be locked up for eight years, with intensive training in a shooting gallery."
While Clemenceau's humor permeated his request, he was sincere in his desire that Cottin not be put to death. Despite being shot and knowing the future danger he might incur from the decision, Clemenceau voiced his desire that Cottin remain alive.
What an unusual reaction for a man who had been shot at and perhaps could have died. But notice an even more unlikely reaction in our verses today. Christ was beaten, bruised, mocked, scorned, and taunted; yet He responded to these unwarranted actions with silence. Jesus had command of all the angels in Heaven and could have commanded the death of those beating Him with one breath, yet He responded in silence.
Look at how 1 Peter 2:21-23 describes the account, "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously." Christ left us an example of how to respond to attacks-He did not respond in anger.
Have you ever been around someone who attacked you without merit? Perhaps it is someone who seems to continuously slander your name or wrongfully accuse you. Christ left us an example of how to respond in those situations-silent love. There are times when an explanation may be a necessary response, but Jesus desires that we not respond harshly or out of anger.
How do you respond to those who attack you? Do you immediately throw up a barrier and begin attacking them? Consider Christ's reaction to the attacks on Him. He reviled not, nor did He respond in anger. He opened not His mouth. Sometimes the best response is a silent prayer for those attacking you.
Take time right now to commit to following the Lord's example in your reactions. Ask God for help in responding correctly, even when your flesh wants to fight back. Remember as you go about your day today that God's desire is for you to treat others with the same love He shows you.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
by Dr. Paul Chappell
"And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing."
Matthew 27:11-12
Sometimes the best response to an attack is a silent prayer for those attacking you.
Many people during the era of World War I were well-acquainted with the name of Georges Clemenceau. Known for his work on the Treaty of Versailles, the Prime Minister of France helped in much of the peace negotiations at the end of the war. On the day he was to meet with United States President Woodrow Wilson, Clemenceau was shot by French anarchist Emile Cottin. After Cottin shot at Clemenceau once, he continued to fire six more shots as Clemenceau was shoved into a car and driven away. Only one of the shots struck Clemenceau, and he soon recovered from the wound. Cottin was captured and sentenced to death for the crime, but in a surprising act, Clemenceau objected to the sentencing. He stated his reasoning as such: "We have just won the most terrible war in history, yet here is a Frenchman who misses his target six out of seven times at point-blank range. Of course this fellow must be punished for the careless use of a dangerous weapon and for poor marksmanship. I suggest that he be locked up for eight years, with intensive training in a shooting gallery."
While Clemenceau's humor permeated his request, he was sincere in his desire that Cottin not be put to death. Despite being shot and knowing the future danger he might incur from the decision, Clemenceau voiced his desire that Cottin remain alive.
What an unusual reaction for a man who had been shot at and perhaps could have died. But notice an even more unlikely reaction in our verses today. Christ was beaten, bruised, mocked, scorned, and taunted; yet He responded to these unwarranted actions with silence. Jesus had command of all the angels in Heaven and could have commanded the death of those beating Him with one breath, yet He responded in silence.
Look at how 1 Peter 2:21-23 describes the account, "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously." Christ left us an example of how to respond to attacks-He did not respond in anger.
Have you ever been around someone who attacked you without merit? Perhaps it is someone who seems to continuously slander your name or wrongfully accuse you. Christ left us an example of how to respond in those situations-silent love. There are times when an explanation may be a necessary response, but Jesus desires that we not respond harshly or out of anger.
How do you respond to those who attack you? Do you immediately throw up a barrier and begin attacking them? Consider Christ's reaction to the attacks on Him. He reviled not, nor did He respond in anger. He opened not His mouth. Sometimes the best response is a silent prayer for those attacking you.
Take time right now to commit to following the Lord's example in your reactions. Ask God for help in responding correctly, even when your flesh wants to fight back. Remember as you go about your day today that God's desire is for you to treat others with the same love He shows you.
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