He held His peace!

Do you know anyone who irritates you?  Seriously, I’m talking about those people who get on your last nerves.  I’m referring to the people who make you say to yourself, “If I could just give them a piece of my mind, I’d be OK.”  If so, then I know exactly how you feel.

If often marvel at Jesus, for He encountered the same kind of people and didn’t respond like we would.  In this text, Jesus encounters the Pharisees (religious leaders), who often had so much to say about everything He did.  They were watching Him to see if He’d break the law and heal someone on the Sabbath.  Jesus could have said a lot – and I can think of a few responses for Him – but He didn’t.  He held His peace and was more bothered by the condition of their heart than their words.  He didn’t have to, but He did.

Sometimes, we have to be like Jesus and hold our peace.  Even when it’s tempting to “go off” on someone, we must season our words with grace.  Jesus knew that this interaction was bigger than Him; His purpose was to bring God glory.  And, so is ours.  So before you “let them have it,” remember who you represent.  It’s not about you!

He went through hell for you!

I can’t help thanking the people who made life easier for me.  People like Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and especially my parents hold a special place in my heart.  It’s not what they did; rather, it’s their willingness to do.  They sacrificed their ambitions to make my life better.  In other words, they didn’t have to, but they did.

The willingness to sacrifice is what makes me love Jesus so much.  Just a reminder – He didn’t have to die for us.  He could have stayed in heaven and enjoyed the adoration of angels, but He didn’t.  He went from riches to rags to reconcile us to God.  He literally went through hell to bring us to heaven.

And maybe you’re just like Jesus.  Maybe you’re going through hell to help someone else.  Let this email encourage you – hang in there.  Your struggle will give someone else strength!

It’s not about you …