Jesus Sets the Example

It might seem idealistic and far removed from reality to expect anyone to be entirely harmless, but Jesus demonstrated this in His responses and teaching over a wide range of cases that affect human experience. A number of such cases will now be highlighted.

1. When He was personally being abused.

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously. 1. Peter 2:21-23.

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. Isaiah 53:7.

In this, one should consider that Jesus could have caused his attackers to be smitten but He chose not to retaliate. More than even carnal weapons, He could have called on supernatural power in His defense as indicated by His response to Peter who had earlier drawn a sword to defend Him.

2. When Peter tried to defend Him.

And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? Matthew 26:51-53.

Some people might say that while Jesus would not use violence to defend His own life yet it is an entirely different matter when it comes to His dealing with those who reject truth and righteousness. He will destroy them for righteousness’ sake, it is felt. But was that what He did when faced with such a situation?

3. When urged to destroy those who rejected Him.

And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village. Luke 9:51-56.

His response is significant. He did not say that the time was not appropriate for that type of intervention. Neither did He say that the situation was different from that of Elias (Elijah). Rather, He identified that type of reaction which would call fire from heaven to destroy the people as being actuated by a different spirit from His Spirit. Are we opening a hornet’s nest here? There are obvious questions that would arise immediately. But suffice it to say that when God gives spiritual gifts He does not take them back willy-nilly or micro-manage the recipient’s use of them. He gives gifts according to the potential for mature use by His servants but they, being imperfect, will not always act in the exact manner that He would act. Thus, we must be guided ultimately by Jesus Christ.

God did not give us imperfect men as our examples. Rather, He gave us His only begotten Son – the only Being who is perfectly like Him in character. God Himself made this distinction when, on the mount of transfiguration, Peter suggested: “Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.” (Matt. 17:4). Peter’s instinct was to place all three on the same level and possibly worship (build tabernacles – places of worship for) all three. But the Father Himself answered from heaven, saying:

“This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” Matt. 17:5.

This is an interesting statement by God Himself, considering that on one notable occasion previously, on Mount Sinai when God spoke audibly to Israel, the people begged Moses to act as a go-between messenger to bring God’s Word to them rather than have God speak to them directly. Rather than simply accepting the people’s proposal to have Moses speak to them on God’s behalf, God said:

“I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.” Deut. 18:18.

That Prophet (the Messiah – God’s only begotten Son) was now here and God spoke again audibly telling us to listen to Him.

It is not that we should not listen to Moses or Elijah. But these men were faithful only as servants, having limited knowledge of the Master’s ways, whereas Jesus Christ was faithful as the Son of the Master, being able to show the mind of God more than any other.

“For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house”. Heb. 3:3

“But Christ as a son over his own house” Heb. 3:6

Therefore, let us not take comfort in the fact that servants of God have resorted to violence on occasions and think that it is therefore okay to do the same. Jesus is our standard of righteousness. And He will give us the wherewithal to be like Him if we so desire, so that His Father will be pleased with us as His Father was pleased with Him.

There were yet other cases when Jesus could have supported the punitive approach but showed otherwise.

4. When the law demanded the death of the offender.

And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. John 8:3-11.

Jesus is more kind to us than we are to each other.

5. When those He loved were being destroyed.

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. John 10:11.

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8.

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Hebrews 2:14, 15.

He died in our place so that we might be released from the Devil’s captivity. Let this sink in. The Father did not require that we should die, nor did He demand the death of His Son in our place. We were held captive by the Devil because Adam sold himself and us to the Devil by voluntarily choosing to obey the Devil. Jesus bought us by giving Himself over into the hand of the evil one in our place, thus releasing us, except as we might choose to remain in the Devil’s hands. His experience of being separated from God would have been ours had He not taken our place. It should therefore be seen that we are being saved from the Devil’s whip and from the consequences of evil rather than being rescued from any punishment that God has prescribed.

SERIES: Are you harmless?

PART ONE: Mark of True Christianity
PART 2: Forgive them because they do not know any better
PART 3: Love is harmless
PART 4: For Peace Sake
PART 5: True Christians are harmless
PART 6: Following Jesus