Luke 23:26-38
Jesus' actions through the crucifixion amaze me. Here he is--innocent--yet willingly being subjected to torture and humiliation that he knows will lead to his death. And, Jesus responds like no person I've ever known. No lashing out, no anger, no fear. Jesus, instead, demonstrates exactly what he has been teaching the people, that we should love our enemies.
So the next time we find ourselves being ridiculed, looked down on, or treated poorly because of what we believe as a Christ-follower, how can we draw on this passage when we respond? Tami W.
It's been a long while since I have commented, or even read & kept up with these blogs. But, in my inability this morning to cope, I decided to read what you're up to...
I find my feelings to be similar right now (of course, not as horrible as Christ's). With my 17 yr. old son 'acting out' for the last 8 months, exhibiting anger, destruction, and violence in our home...myself feeling tortured, humiliated, and saddened...trying everything to help him with him rejecting me...others letting us down... I'm at a loss, except to cry out 'Father, forgive him...' and hope for his redemption and healing...
We should be happy, Our natural reaction would be anger but we need to replace it with joy. If we are being recognized for our religious belief as a Christ follower then we are living for Christ. After all isn't that what we strive for living by example. We need to remind ourselves when people act out in anger they either envy us or are afraid or lost and deeply hurt. Or their just plain evil. This is the time we need to realy be an example and show that God loves them and tell them so. His word must be working on them otherwise why would they be so offended. We are soldiers we need to have his armour on us and stand our ground. If we happen to fail their are other days I am sure. Ask for forgivness and prepare for battle another day. Remember Peter denied him 3 times. God Bless and have a wonderfull day.
Doesn't God promise us "strength as our daily bread"? He certainly knows what we need each day - before we know, and even if we don't know. He also has the Holy Spirit presenting to God what we can't even put into words. Wow! What a concept. I am so thankful that God has given us these resources, including Jesus' reaction to extreme adversity. It is comforting to know. It is also comforting to know that He will NEVER let go of us - no matter how bad things get. What love is that!
Whenever I am treated negatively for following Jesus Christ, I pray for that person because either they don't have a personal relationship with The King of Kings or they do not know Him. Either way, they are at a lost. For me to respond in a negative manner would be disrespectful to Our Lord and Savior and damaging to the Kingdom of God. We are called to be separate from the world and to be separated means that we do not act or react in the manner that the world would in any given situation.
Please know that does not mean that my "feathers don't get ruffled", I am no where near perfect, but I don't have to show it in how I act or react. Prayer will get you through anything, but make sure you have a relationship with Jesus and study His word daily so you will continue to grow in His ways.
Janet,
First off, welcome back to P4. I'm so glad you checked in today. Thanks for sharing about the difficulties with your son. I wanted you to know that I prayed for you today. Tami W.
Janet, I want you to know that I am keeping you in my prayers too.
I will pray for your son too. My boys started acting out at 17 and they are just trying to be their own man but not yet know how. Just let them know that you love them but while they are in your house they have to abide by your rules. When you turn 18 you can move out and get your own place. Now just let me help you to know what that entails. I will start charging you rent and you need to pay part of the water and electric. You also need to pay your car insurance too.
Then you need to learn to put alittle aside for emergency reapirs either on your car or your place of residence. You need to learn how to budget when you shop for grocies too. You need to start going with me when I shop to learn how to budget your food items and the cost efectiveness of real food and junk food. I need to teach you how to cook and do laundry also. I am not trying to punish you hon I just want to help you. When your 18yrs old you need to know this cause if things doesnt chang than you have to move out. Both of my boys learn how to do all this and they moved out. One on his own the other was kicked out. 6 months at the most both came home with their tails tucked in their legs and appologetic.I let them back in and said I love them and missed them and cooked their favirite dinner. When the time was right they moved out again but they knew what it entailed first.
Sometimes, I wonder why we behave the way we do. Looking back at some of the things that made me angry were:
1. when anyone misrepresented what I said to save their skin
2. because you receive a positive comment someone was envious
3. because of prejudice
4. when a child who you are trying to help because you love him/her, do not see what you are trying to say or do for them and think you are always on his/her case and becomes belligerent.
The first two you can try to explain to the persons and if they still feel the same way, forgive them as Jesus would and pray for them.The third one pray for the person and ask God to show them the light that we are all one. The fourth one, especially if it is your child or other family member, we have to try to find out the reason. Sometimes the child may not be prepared to talk but write a note saying how much he/she means to us and share some positives things about them and you will be surprised to see the reaction. Sometimes the child is only trying to get our attention. There might be sibling rivalry or other rivalry. Do not write them off just yet. Remember all the time you are doing this you also have to be in touch with the One person who can heal all wounds, our Lord and Saviour.
The humiliation, the cruelty and what Jesus went through on the Cross at Calvary for us is a love beyond all understanding. There is no one else who will do that for us now. If. in His pain and agony He could still have the strength to call on His Heavenly Father to ask Him to, "Forgive them for they know not what they do". Who are we, not to forgive each other?
Let us join our minds and hearts together and pray with Janet and for all who need this kind of support for God's intervention, guidance and mercy. Tami, great to hear that the surgery went well as we well knew it would. Hugs everybody and thanks for just being there! May God continue to strengthen us each day so we will keep in His Word.
Janet,
Welcome back! I just started here and absolutely love it! I too am being tested by a daughter and I know what you are going through with your son. I think the hardest part to swallow is the rejection of someone we love so much. I will be praying for us both to come out on the other side of all of this soon, and that our kids will come to the end of themselves, knowing that God's way is the best way. :) Karen
Thank you all for your kind words and wisdom :)
I'm feelin' the love, and I send prayers back to you, too.
It was another rocky morning. I have the school crisis counselor involved, and he should call him down today. Please pray that Luke will open up to him, that this man will be the right person to help him. We have been through a few...
WOW, I have tears in my eyes. What wonderful Christian woman to come to Janets rescue. I am at a point in my life where I am greiving for my 16 year old son who has started using drugs and will not listen about God anymore. It hurts so bad and I can only trust that God has a wonderful plan to bring him back to him.To think that my son had a very, very, rare autoimmune illness and has been healed but to only have it taken away by drugs. I too had decided to ignore this but something, the Holy Spirits nudge, had me go and read over these. Thank you for the honesty and for sharing, it is amazing how alone a person can feel, but to only realize their are warm,caring people out there. Most importantly, who believe in the power of prayer!
Blessings to you all!
Lisa, thanks for sharing your heart. We will definitely pray for you as well as your son.
And thanks to everyone for commenting this week. I love that we can surround each other and walk through life together. So thanks for opening up and sharing, praying and supporting one another. It's a great thing. Tami W.
Lisa, you don't know how NOT ALONE you are! My son Luke grew up in the church, lost his dad to a drug overdose when he was turning 13, and is in the same place your son is right now. I will keep you both in my prayers also.
I feel at peace knowing that others are praying for my son and myself, THANK YOU!!!
The Bible says that we are to love one another. Jesus loved all of us so much that he chose to make the ultimate sacrifice. He was born to die. He realized that this was his destiny. He even forgave the ones who were making him suffer. That is truly amazing. Not one of us could do that very easily and he did it so easily. He loves all people and he came for the sinners of the world. I try to remember what he did for me and how much love it took for him to do it.