For
most people 'turning the other cheek' would be easier for a physical
attack than an emotional or verbal one. It is a natural human
instinct to retaliate, to defend ourselves, to justify our decisions.
Unity is a necessity - we are to be “eager to maintain the unity of
the Spirit” (Eph 4:3). Yet when someone brings an accusation
against us that strikes too close to home – they accuse our
personal work, our ministry, our families – we leap to arms to
defend our decisions.
We
just celebrated Easter, and I see something fascinating in Jesus'
actions before he went to the cross. As He is accused He is 'silent'
(Mark 14:61). As He is beaten, He says not a word. As He is mocked,
He gives no response. I think there is something for us to learn in
all of this.
I'm
sure you can well picture the tense and awkward moment in the church
service as an elder carefully explains to the congregation why they
chose to excommunicate a member. Someone in the third row leaps to
their feet, shouting about grace and love and wanting anyone who
wanders in off the street to feel accepted. The elder turns red and
begins to stammer an explanation and thumb quickly for Corinthians to
defend his position. In the same spot, we would doubtless all do the
same – try to explain, to reason, to justify to correct – most
quickly when we know the accuser is incorrect.
But
this isn't what Jesus did. He bowed his head, He listened, and “he
gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor
was greatly amazed” (Mat 27:14). Why? Because Jesus is the 'Prince
of Peace' (Isa 9:6) and conflict requires two sides. If we were to
open His mouth, He would have started a war. Now, Jesus was no
stranger to conflict (overturning tables), and I certainly don't
stand for ministers allowing their doctrine to be trampled. There's a
time to fight, but here's the bottom line – the easiest way to
avoid conflict is usually to shut your mouth. To give no response. To
listen.
And
sometimes, and this is the hardest part – you'll have to issue an
apology for something that you weren't in the wrong for. And why is
that so hard? Because humility is hard. But every good leader will
find at some point or another that being a good leader means taking
the flack and backlash not only for their own decisions, but for
those that they are leading. Which means shutting our mouths, biting
our tongues, listening and humbly accepting blame that shouldn't be
ours. And isn't that exactly what Jesus did?
| Shutting our mouths, biting our tongues listening and humbly accepting blame... Isn't that exactly what Jesus did? |
We
look to our Savior the one of whom it was written, “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a
lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its
shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth” (Isa 53:7). The
accusations against Jesus were false, unjustified and from men whose
wicked hearts He could clearly see.
So
often a pastor must look to the Prince of Peace as he hears a list of
unjustified criticisms towards his church. The worship leader must
follow the Lamb's example as he hears all the problems with his music
style. The congregation member must mimic to the Son of God before
Pilate in order to maintain unity among brothers. The Christian in
the work force must remember Jesus stripped and beaten as he listens
to the mocking laugh of his coworkers.
Silent,
cheek turned, the Christian experiences perhaps the most practical
example of having a crucified self as He looks to His Savior's model
of humility.
No comments:
Post a Comment