LOVING WITHOUT REVENGE
“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.” 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.
1 Peter 2:22-23 (NIV)
Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
1 Thessalonians 5:15 (NIV)
It’s been several years, but I still remember driving our kids to school. Many streets had speed zones and were extensively patrolled by policemen. Thankfully, I was never in such a rush that I risked getting a speeding ticket (it had been over 30 years since I’d gotten pulled over, and I wasn’t about to break my record!). There were many times, though, when impatient drivers would speed past me to get to school or work. I can remember secretly thinking to myself I hope they get caught. And with a feeling of superiority and judgment, I slowly drove on.
God's not like that. He's not out to get us. He doesn't seek revenge. As today’s Scriptures show us, if there was anyone justified in lashing out, it was Jesus. The cruel mistreatment He suffered is hard for us to imagine. The insults. The mocking. Torture to the point of death. There are simply no words to describe what happened. Yet Jesus did not pay back wrong for wrong. As the saying goes, two wrongs don’t make a right. Nothing good ever comes from taking revenge. As Marcus Aurelius once said, The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury.
Even though there is a lot of violence, hate and prejudice in the world, don’t let that cloud your vision of God’s love. You’ve likely been mistreated, but let’s remember Jesus’ example to love without revenge. May we not become like the people who’ve wronged us.
APPLICATION: Move from revenge to love.
PRAYER: Jesus, thank You for the example of loving without revenge. I want to be like You, and I pray for the Holy Spirit to help me experience patience and love toward those who hurt me and those around me. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?