let's not fight

When Jesus' followers saw what was going to happen, they said, "Lord, should we strike with our swords?" And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.But Jesus answered, "No more of this!" And he touched the mans's ear and healed him.

Jesus knew what was happening. And when his disciples figured it out, they were like, "Oh -- Jesus, should we be fighting? Like, defending you?" So one of them cuts the priest guy's ear off.

Then Jesus is like, "Hey, come on you guys -- let's not fight." We know Jesus is perfect. I guess it kind of makes sense that he doesn't want to retaliate, even now. But you know what I found amazing?

He healed him. Not only did Jesus not laugh and say, "Serves you right for wanting to kill me!" but he reached out and put the guy's ear back in it's place. Jesus had no anger, no regret. He was full of mercy. 


I mean, let's imagine it's ourselves in Jesus' spot.

So, these people come up to me, armed with smirks and knowing glances at eachother as they make their way over. They're about to throw all sorts of insults at me, all with the hope of making me feel worthless.

"Hey, Dove," one of them starts, looking over at my friends and then landing back on me.
"Hi."
And then -- once my friends figure out why these guys are here -- one of them, Tori, steps forward and yanks this chicks scarf right off from around her neck.  

But I shake my head and say,"Come on, you guys. Let's just stop." And then I take the scarf from Tori, smile my thanks to her and put it back around the owners neck. 

Life isn't fair. We know that. But just because we're being treated unfairly, doesn't exactly give us the right to respond in any way but love. I mean, if anyone had the right, it was Jesus. But, uh, how did he respond?

In love. 


sometime this week, when you're in a position where the social "norm" is to react in a certain way that isn't love -- try Jesus' way. respond in love.