Week 2 | Day 2 | Responding The Jesus Way

Command:

You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. Matthew 3:38-39 (NIV)

Read:

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil.” Romans 12:17 (NIV)

Reflect:

More than once, my grandfather told me an account of my dad’s life that I have never forgotten. In the 1960’s, my dad took a trip on a narrow highway. In front of him a man was driving very slowly, and whenever my dad tried to pass him, the man immediately accelerated or moved to the other lane to block him. He did this many times, and as he did, he made fun of my dad. It seemed funny to him to make my dad waste a lot of time, but he had not anticipated that sooner or later he would have to stop to pump gasoline.

When he arrived at the gas station, my dad parked behind him to pump gas as well. The other man noticed, and was visibly afraid. As he started to fill the tank of his car, my dad approached him to tell him in a very nice way, “It's not good for you to drive like that because you can cause an accident.” That was it. He didn't yell at him or call him names. He just shared those words and continued on his way. 

My dad’s example reminds me that I need to look beyond my personal offense and trust God to set things right. I have more important business to attend to: bringing his kingdom right here on earth as it is in heaven. It’s not easy. Many times, I don’t want to or I don’t feel like I can, but I choose to rely on God’s grace. I challenge you to ask God for grace next time you need it, and watch what happens.

React:

In our daily lives we have constant opportunities to respond in the way that Jesus did. Ask God to help you recognize them and seize them!

Pray:

Lord Jesus, help me recognize the opportunities in my day to respond in your way when I am wronged and give me the grace to do so.