“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”
Perhaps you’ve noticed the unrest in our nation, the violence, the hatred. This might be a good opportunity for a reminder of how Jesus instructed his followers to interact with the surrounding world. Jesus said weird things like “love your enemies” and “turn the other cheek” and even “do good to those who persecute you”. He went as far as to warn his followers that they would be hated, but then reminded them that he had been hated first. Knowing that his execution was near, he told the disciples, “Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?” He was referring to his ability to avoid what he was about to face on the cross. But he stayed the course and tasted death for everyone. He left us an example, not of retaliation, but of redemption.