Meditation for the Day “Mark 8:34-9:1 “You win more bees with honey than vinegar.” I often heard these words from my mother when I was hurt or upset by the way someone had treated me, and my passive-aggressive side began to show. My mother assured me that kindness was a better response than vengeance. Too often, I wasn’t convinced. Not defending myself felt like I was allowing that person to treat me unfairly. It felt as though I would be condoning their behavior, saying it was okay. I can imagine how the disciples felt as they listened to Jesus in today’s text: If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me (v. 34b). So many questions must have been running through the disci“disciples’ heads: “Did he say ‘cross’? Surely, he meant to say ‘sword.’ That would make more sense—take up your sword and follow me. Doesn’t he know how we’ve been treated? Doesn’t he know we need to defend ourselves? Someone should really correct him.” Jesus meant every word, but he isn’t asking us to be victims in today’s passage. He is teaching us to respond to others with kindness and gentleness and nonviolence—even when others are unkind. We can’t condone wrong behavior, but vengeance is not the way to the kingdom. It is honey that will bring change, and peace and kindness that will usher in the kingdom. Life Question How do you react when someone mistreats you? Prayer God, teach us to love others as You have loved us—even when we have been disrespected or hurt. Amen.”
Posted on: Mon, 13 Oct 2014 14:56:03 +0000
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