The Perfect Example

• In what ways did Jesus set an example for us during his time on earth?

• Why didn’t Jesus take revenge on the people who persecuted him?

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
1 Peter 2:21-23

As followers of Jesus, we may be wronged even though we don’t deserve it. We may be persecuted. We may be made fun of. But we are not to seek revenge. Jesus himself gave us the best possible example of this.

The people and soldiers made fun of Jesus. They pounded a crown of thorns onto his head, mocking his kinghood. They spat on him. They stole and destroyed his clothes. And he never retaliated.

Jesus has the power of God. He could have called down an army of angels and completely destroyed his persecutors. But he didn’t. Instead, he calmly relied on God. And even as he hung on the cross dying, he used his precious breath to pray for the people who were crucifying him.

If we ever need an example of turning the other cheek, this is it. Jesus gives us a perfect example of relying on the Father to set things right. Because we love Jesus and are grateful for what he did for us on that day, we need to make every effort to follow this example.

PRAYER
Dear God, thank you for the cross. Thank you for Jesus’ example. Please help us to avoid vengeful attitudes. Please help us to forgive and love those who wrong us. Amen.