2 Peter 2:23 When they hurled their insults at Him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
Jesus turned a hateful, revengeful and vicious environment of torture into an atmosphere of love, repentance and reconciliation. Jesus was surrounded by hateful mockers who hurled insults at Him. Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee? (Matthew 26:67-68). Jesus willingly chose to take our punishment on Himself. The Roman coliseum was filled with heartless tyrants. Their monstrosity was unbearable. They blindfolded Jesus and struck him with a rod on His precious head that was crowned by poisonous thorns. They goaded Him with abuse and called Him names but He did not retaliate. Excruciating pain ripped through His body and His soul but Jesus did not threaten them with curses. Jesus did not pray fire down on the disparaging violators. He silently took the suffering for you and for me.
The response of Jesus to the pejorative persecution changed the repulsive environment into an atmosphere of conviction and repentance. The thief who was a repugnant murderer turned into a repentant sinner. But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” (Luke 23:40-41). The way we respond to pain and suffering will change a grim environment of pain and anguish into a glorious environment of penitence.
Jesus taught us the secret to change the temperature of a horrific environment on the cross. “A soft word turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1). A callous and cold circumstance can be turned into a ghastly storm or a gentle sunny evening by our response.
Our reaction and response changes the environment:
1. Abusive: Retaliating to abuse with a rude inflicting reaction will only darken the environment. A soft answer to an abusive mockery will be a slap on the face of the abuser. Striking back with more intensity will only damage the relationship and leave irreparable damages.
2. Offensive: The brutality of the Roman persecution during interrogation was indescribable. Cold-blooded cruelty was the norm during the dark age of ancient Rome. Jesus responded in silence to the brutal offenders. Our first response to offense is normally retaliation but Jesus taught us the secret to change the hideous environment of offense into a table of reconciliation.
3. Decisive: The hours of persecution of Jesus were the crucial turning point for humanity. One word from Jesus would have wiped out the abusive crowd. Don’t you realize that I could ask my heavenly Father for angels to come at any time to deliver me? (Matthew 26:53). Jesus taught us to be decisive and change a gruesome circumstance into a glorious outcome.
A soft answer turns away anger and animosity.
Romans 12:19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
Prayer: Precious Jesus, give me the patience to change a resentful or envious environment into a loving atmosphere of repentance and reconciliation. Amen.
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