Reconciliation Not Retribution

I’ve always been a bit of an introvert.  Instead of verbalizing my thoughts and angers, I internalize them and share them with no one.
 
As a natural writer, my anger and shame usually manifested into something on a written page.  Sometimes it was a song.  Other times I would write a note or letter. 

During my freshman year of junior high school, it often found its way onto my folders.  I would write thoughts, song lyrics, and band names all over them.  However, in one class, I found myself writing nasty things about a teacher that I didn’t like.  Right next to my Metallica logo would be a nasty comment about this teacher.

Some of it was almost vulgar (“almost” depending on your definition of the word vulgar.)  Looking back now, I’m not very proud of what I wrote.  At the time, it was the only outlet I had to express my anger at being called upon or asked to do extra work. 

I wrote these things all semester until one day another student discovered it.  She read the comments and didn’t like them.  I should have put two and two together, but being a middle school boy, I dismissed it. The next day the teacher collected MY folder. I had been ratted out.

To make this LONG story short, I received punishment for my crime, though not as much as I deserved.  I stopped writing on folders.  At the end of that school year, at our ninth grade awards night, I received the award for that class.  You know what I got for the award?  That folder wrapped in gift paper with a note saying I should tear it up.

My teacher didn’t retaliate.  She showed mercy and restraint to a punk freshman who didn’t deserve it.  She modeled Christ’s words from the Sermon on the Mount.

In Matthew 5:38-42, Jesus tells the gathered crowd that instead of seeking revenge or retribution, you should offer to endure more punishment.  He instructed them to turn the other cheek, give them your cloak and go the extra mile.

We aren’t often slapped publicly today, but we are backhanded by judgmental comments, demeaning words and the silent treatment.  It can be tempting to fight back, hit harder and demand restitution.

Jesus says seek reconciliation.  See them as a human being.  Go the extra mile.  Give them the other cheek.  Provide them your cloak.

My freshman year, that’s exactly what that teacher did.  She turned her cheek.  She chose mercy and reconciliation over retribution.

She lived out Jesus’ words.  Will you?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Devotion to a false god

Image
Last week, at Disney World, I went to retrieve our stroller from the stroller parking section.  As I searched among the hundred or so strollers, I finally found mine and started to move it.  As I pulled, it snagged on a woman's garment.  Panicked, I looked up and saw it was a Muslim women in full Muslin dress.  Her body was completely covered.  Only a slit for her eyes was visible.  I was careful not to yank, and I tried to apologize as the hook of the handle caught part of her garment.  She didn't say a word and we both quietly went on our ways. As I walked away, I felt pity on her.  For one, it's Disney World in June in Florida.  I strode along in shorts and a very thin T-shirt.  Both were soaked in sweat.  I had already consumed two bottles of water and still felt weary.  She was dressed head to toe in heavy garments.  I can't imagine how hot she was pushing a stroller with two kids through a mass of people in hum...
Read more

Bearing Responsbility

Image
I remember when my daughter was first born. Amid the excitement and joy came an overwhelming feeling.  This baby, which I held in my hands, was now my responsibility.  When she got sick, needed feeding, required a diaper change, or had to be corrected and taught, those responsibilities fell to me as her father.  In a matter of a few minutes, I had been entrusted with a new life on planet earth. Looking back on that day six years ago, I was excited but scared.  Yet, that is nothing compared to the responsibility Joesph must have felt.  Joseph was a righteous man, according to scripture, and he knew one thing for certain - Jesus was not his biological son.  Thus, he planned to divorce Mary quietly and be rid of the whole matter. And before we vilify Joseph, know that he could have done much worse.  By law, Mary could have been stoned to death.  His divorce was a form of mercy.  She would live and he would be rid of the stigma of an unfait...
Read more

Following Jesus' Example

Jesus was not a convential man. Often, when Jesus taught, he challenged the status quo.  He also liked to use object lessons and parables to illustrate his points about faith and a relationship with God. One night after dinner, during the last week of his life before the resurrection, he finished eating, took off his outer garment, grabbed a towel and started to wash the disciples' feet. Stunned, Peter protested, but Jesus said it had to be done.  He had to allow Jesus, his rabbi, his teacher, his Lord, to become a servant and wash Peter's dirty, worn feet.  So he did.  Jesus washed all their feet that night.  Then he said:  You need to do this too. Too often in Christianity today, there is an attitude of moral superiority.  We love to build beautiful church buildings, boast of our attendance, brag about our programs and talk about the money we give.  At the same time, we turn our nose up to the alcoholics and drug addicts and homeless and...
Read more