Read: 1 Peter 2:18-25
When [Jesus] suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously. —1 Peter 2:23
Bible In One Year: Judges 7-8; Luke 5:1-16
Four-year-old Angelo wakes up and discovers that his new beagle puppy has chewed up his plastic guitar. The little fellow has a fit of grief. Mom's nerves tighten. She snaps at husband Tony as he leaves for the office.
Still feeling the unhappy send-off, Tony greets his secretary with some cold and unreasonable instructions. She picks up the mood, and at coffeebreak tells off a fellow secretary. At closing time the second secretary tells her boss she's ready to quit.
An hour-and-a-half later, after fighting heavy traffic, the boss walks into his house and blurts out an angry word to little Nelson, who had left his bike in the driveway. Nelson runs to his room, slams the door, and kicks his Scottish terrier.
Where does it all end? Each person may think he or she had reason to be upset. But what was needed in this imaginary situation was one person who would absorb unjust treatment without lashing out.
This is when Christians have a unique opportunity. By knowing the Father's will, by heeding the Son's example, and by relying on the Spirit's help, we can endure bad treatment in order to show others a better way. In chain reactions of frustration and anger, we can be where it all ends. —Mart De Haan