June 17, 2013
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 27:27-31
OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION
I have a huge sensitivity to suffering.
I cannot imagine myself participating in something like this, shaming someone, spitting on them, beating them.
What happens to a person to make them capable of this, and could it happen to me?
Is there something of nature, and something of nurture in it?
If I was raised (nurtured) in the same context, endured the same experiences, faced the same challenges or abuses, would I have become what they were?
Or is there something within me (nature) that would always resist this, a weak, cowardly nature?
I like to think that it’s not in my nature, but that implies that I am better than them, that my character is somehow superior or purer than theirs.
As difficult as this is, I cannot look at these soldiers and see myself as superior to them; instead I have to focus on Jesus and see how superior He is to me, to us.
That He would willingly choose to step into our cruelty, so that He can help us… help me… this is amazing.
If I knew that someone was going to mock me, spit on me, beat me, would I step in to help them… could I be like this?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, humble me by the character of these soldiers, and inspire me by Your character. Show me that while I am capable on my own of their cruelty, that I am capable of so much more with Your help!
Mob Mentality
We sometimes get caught up in the moment, and do what our friends do because everyone is doing it. This can happen for good or for bad, depending on the event that is happening. We don’t want to be left out, and we certainly don’t want to have to explain why we are not joining in. This could be as simple as falling into a trust circle because everyone is urging you to do so, or bullying a person with others who are doing the same. In most cases, people will not do what they are doing on their own, but when doing things with a group, they feel less responsible for their actions. With many people, it takes only minimal effort by each person to accomplish or destroy much.
One needs to be able to decide if the group activity is one in which they wish to participate. And in some cases true justice would ask that you do what you can to reduce or stop the activity. I think of Joseph’s brothers beating him and throwing him into a pit. If it wasn’t for Rueben trying to rescue him, Joseph would have been killed.
I pray that I can stand up for what is right, and not get caught up in what is wrong, just because others are doing it. I pray that I can look for ways to harness the power of co-operation and participation for good.