When Jesus was treated badly, He didn’t send fire from heaven to punish the people. He could. He didn’t threaten them with something bad that might happen to them. He could. He didn’t even wish that sometime in the future they would pay for what they did to Him. He could. 

But He didn’t. 

How did Jesus manage not to give them what they deserved? How could He not even wish that the punishment for them treating Him badly and unjustly was waiting for them around the next corner? 

Jesus’ focus was not on the people and even less on their actions. Jesus was focused on God. Jesus was focused on the calling that God had for Him and the reason why He was on earth. 

Jesus didn’t allow the circumstances in which He found Himself to draw His eyes away from His purpose on earth. Even though He was treated unfairly, even though the people made terrible errors in judgment, and even though He was on the receiving end of their wrong actions, He didn’t get involved with His attackers. 

He didn’t speak His mind like we would do. He didn’t point out their wrong actions and choices. He didn’t shine the spotlight on their stupid choices, as we would have. He didn’t get involved in an argument, like we would. 

No, 23… He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right. You see, when one has an intimate relationship with God, you gain wisdom not to get involved in things that will only lead to a dead end. When you know exactly where God is going with you, you don’t waste energy on people who you know won’t listen to the truth. 

I’ve had to bite my tongue many times when people say things about me that are deprived of the truth. Sometimes people accused me of total untruths. Then I kept quiet, because I knew to say something would waste valuable energy. After all, the other person was not receptive to the truth at that stage. 

I rather surrender to God’s plan for my life. Because I know that keeping quiet and taking the blows will bring me closer to God’s plan for my life. 

This is not strange in our world today. Often, someone’s promotion is given to the next person, who is often less competent. Often, someone is attacked for no reason. Often, someone gets hurt because of other people’s stupidity. 

Then it is not easy to say nothing. It’s not easy to turn away when others hurt you. That’s when we must think about Jesus and how He just knew to act wisely. Then we must put our hope in God and know that He will show us a solution at some point. Then we must leave everything in His hands and know that He will see to it that what must happen will happen. 

 Scripture
1 Peter 2:21-25 

Reflection
Where do you experience injustice?
How should you go about leaving it in God’s hands?
Maybe you need help with this? 

Prayer
Father, it’s certainly not easy for me to just keep quiet and believe in Your plan for my life. Please help me to leave the solution to You. Amen.