Bullies Are No Match for Jesus

Children are hurting from being bullied or mocked, teased, called names, or confused by the relentless chatter of the culture telling them they can be a different sex than they were born. The need to be believed in and also loved and accepted is strong and continuous throughout life but maybe never so strong as in adolescence. Being cussed at and called names can cut deep into one’s identity. It’s a serious business, this reality, in most schools and communities. What can be said that can really help? Relating to Jesus may not be the help some will accept but his model of integrity and knowing who he is despite the names, mocking and evils he experienced has helped me and others greatly. Taking a closer look at Jesus example we find it seems he was called every name in the book: illegitimate, crazy, out of his mind, a drunkard, a wine bibber, a glutton, prince of demons, a troublemaker, a heretic, a liar, a blasphemer, and many other awful slurs and mockings…. How did Jesus respond? First, it is important to know that Jesus knew who He was and no names or treatment of him caused him to lose his peace. Jesus remained pure and sinless despite the evil and abuse he experienced. He handled people’s thoughts and abuse of him without sinning himself! Amazing Love and Purity! Second, Jesus knew they (those that rejected him) would do what they wanted to him just as they had John Baptist. Like in the days of Jesus’ earthly life, there will always be those that will oppose God’s People! Jesus told us to expect persecution and trouble in this world. Third, Jesus asked His Father to forgive them for they know not what they do…

In a sense we are to follow Jesus’ examples in these three above ways. We are to know who we are IN CHRIST and we are to follow Jesus’ example with the aid and help of His Holy Spirit. We are to know that there will be those that reject us as they rejected and mistreated John the Baptist and Jesus. If we are mocked, teased, mistreated when doing what is right then we are in good company with John and Jesus. We are to pray Father forgives them and know God sees all...

Let’s take a look at what Jesus endured on our behalf just as written in: Luke 22-23 alone. (In the other gospels more is written. The focus here is just in Luke). In Luke chapters 22-23 we read: People plotted to kill Jesus. One of his disciples, Judas, and people, leaders, supposed to be religious, bartered for money (price of a slave!) to betray Jesus. Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss. One of his closest disciple Peter denied Jesus 3 times. Jesus was mocked and beaten, blindfolded, and asked repeatedly to “Prophesy! Who was it that hit you?” He was hit and blasphemous things were said to him His own people did not believe that Jesus is Messiah! They believed wrongly that he was a blasphemer, a false Messiah! Jesus Faces Pilate as their whole assembly rose up and brought Jesus before Pilate. Jesus was accused of being a man that “mislead their nation, opposing payment of taxes to Caesar, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.” And they kept insisting, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he started even to here.” Jesus Faces Herod Antipas Herod was very glad to see Jesus; for a long time he had wanted to see him because he had heard about him and was hoping to see some miracle performed by him. So he kept asking him questions, but Jesus did not answer him.The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. Then Herod, with his soldiers, treated him with contempt, mocked him, dressed him in bright clothing, and sent him back to Pilate. Jesus or Barabbas: Pilate called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, and said to them, “You have brought me this man as one who misleads the people. But in fact, after examining him in your presence, I have found no grounds to charge this man with those things you accuse him of. Neither has Herod, because he sent him back to us. Clearly, he has done nothing to deserve death. Therefore, I will have him whipped and then release him.” Then they all cried out together, “Take this man away! Release Barabbas to us!” (He had been thrown into prison for a rebellion that had taken place in the city, and for murder.)Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate addressed them again, but they kept shouting, “Crucify! Crucify him!” A third time he said to them, “Why? What has this man done wrong? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore, I will have him whipped and then release him.” But they kept up the pressure, demanding with loud voices that he be crucified, and their voices won out. So Pilate decided to grant their demand and released the one they were asking for, who had been thrown into prison for rebellion and murder. But he handed Jesus over to their will. Crucified between Two Criminals Two others—criminals—were also led away to be executed with him. When they arrived at the place called The Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided his clothes and cast lots.35 The people stood watching, and even the leaders were scoffing: “He saved others; let him save himself if this is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him. They came offering him sour wine 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 An inscription was above him: This Is the King of the Jews.39 Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”40 But the other answered, rebuking him: “Don’t you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment? 41 We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”43 And he said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” The Death of Jesus 44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three, 45 because the sun’s light failed. The curtain of the sanctuary was split down the middle. 46 And Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit.” Saying this, he breathed his last.47 When the centurion saw what happened, he began to glorify God, saying, “This man really was righteous!” 48 All the crowds that had gathered for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, went home, striking their chests. 49 But all who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. Jesus had no sin. Other people’s sins against him did not cause him to sin in response. How amazing that he stayed loving and forgiving despite what he suffered! Jesus examples can help us to pray and live by God’s Spirit and Word. We are free when we live in God’s Truth by His Spirit! I pray this review of Jesus and his responses blessed you! The grace of the Lord JESUS be with you, Amen.