1 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.
Harvard Business School did a study on the “power paradox” which studied that the behaviour of people shift as they gain power. The actions and reactions worsen as they gain more power and move up the ladder. Sadly, the study concludes that people in authority are more likely than other people to engage in rude, selfish, and unethical behavior. “Power does tend to corrupt”- Lord Acton. Power and wealth in a large majority of people prompt vile behaviour while it should be used to promote goodness and kindness.
Jesus was God in a human earthen-suit of flesh and blood. He had all the power to curse, threaten and retaliate against those who insulted and persecuted him. An ant mocking an elephant is not even a close comparison to the Roman soldiers who hurt, wiped, and tortured Jesus. They blindfolded him and demanded, “Prophesy! Who hit you?” (Luke 22:64). In split seconds Jesus could have made their hands withered, tongues tied, and dumb. He could have brought fire from heaven, and burnt all of them down but the God-Man in all His might and power chose not to be provoked. The Jews provoked Jesus to destroy the very purpose for which He came by inflicting insults and heaping abuse; “If you are God’s Son, save yourself and come down from the cross!” (Matthew 27:40). Jesus refused to be provoked but rather He was prompted to pray for the forgiveness of those who hurled insults.
Prompts or Provocations:
1. Insult: Jesus chose not to retaliate or answer those who hurled insults. Silence is the best answer to those who try to intimidate and insult us. “A soft word turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1). A soft answer turns down the heat and silence pours water on the heat. Choose not to be provoked when insulted.
2. Incarceration: Reacting to provocation will incarcerate us. The purpose of Jesus taking the humble human clothing would have been defeated if He had reacted to the lewd slander of the torturers. Yielding to provocation will allow the insulters to bind us with shackles and shuffle us with their opinions.
3. Impede: When maneuvered by provocations our progress will be impeded. There will always be a bunch of people who criticize, mock and gossip about our goals and visions. Such people are either purposeless or under the intoxication of the ‘power paradox’. Don’t let the opinion of others impede your progress.
King Jesus who had all power to obliterate those who hurled insults taught to forgive and pray for others who insult us. Repay good for evil, and bless those who curse you.
Luke 6:27-28 “But to you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you”.
Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, teach me to remain humble with the power and influence you have given me. Help me to never retaliate when provoked, but rather be prompted to pray for those who hurt me. Amen.
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