We have a glass sliding door that opens onto the porch. On the other side is my study, also with a glass sliding door. Renata derives great pleasure from always having those glass doors in sparkling condition. 

I know they are there and always feel with my hand whether they’re open before I walk through, because with the naked eye, you don’t always see the glass. But sometimes one is distracted. 

Bam! Then I walk into the door, usually nose first. The pain shoots up into your head. And immediately you’re angry. Angry because your nose hurts. Angry because someone may have seen you looking like a fool.  

And then someone walks by. “Why are the windows so clean?!”, followed by a flood of words. 

It’s not right. I know that, but it’s as if I can’t stop it. I suspect it’s human. If we get hurt, if something is done to us, we look for boxing gloves. Then we want to retaliate. 

Yes, we might not get physical because it’s not our style, but wow, often our words may hurt that person nearly as much. They must understand exactly what hurt or discomfort they have caused us.  

I wonder if this will have any impact on the other person’s actions in future. Maybe the person enjoys it when we go off like that. 

We were returning to South Africa from Zimbabwe via Beit Bridge. Usually, it’s a very long affair, but that time we were alone at the counters. In record time we passed through on the Zimbabwean side. 

We were on the bridge over the river, almost on the South African side, when an abnormal load pushed in and came from the front. All the vehicles had to reverse, because there was no room for the abnormal load and any other vehicle on the bridge. 

The trucks with double trailers struggled to reverse. It took about half an hour for all the vehicles to reverse. When the abnormal load was across, one of the other drivers, clearly very angry, walked up to the driver of that truck and gave him an earful. 

That’s the way we are. When there is an action against us, there is a reaction from our side. But just because it’s human, doesn’t necessarily make it right. On the contrary. 

Jesus was not like that. When He was captured, His response was to walk along meekly. And man’s reaction? Simon Peter pulled out his sword and cut off an ear. 

Even when they falsely accused Him, even when they threw Him in prison, even when they spit on Him, even when they beat Him with a whip with pebbles making Him bleed, even when they pushed a crown of thorns on His head, even when they hit nails through His hands and feet, He did not resist. He didn’t shout. He didn’t curse, He only did what God expected of Him.  

23 He never did one thing wrong, not once said anything amiss. They called him every name in the book, and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right. 

Scripture
1 Peter 2:21-25 

Reflection
What is your reaction when someone mistreats you?
Is this what God wants?
What else could you do? 

Prayer
Jesus, You are such a good example of the right response. I want to do the same, but I need help. Amen.