March 28 – Vicious Tongues

--Those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself, and come down from the cross!

--In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes, were mocking Him among themselves and saying, He saved others; He cannot save Himself. Let this Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, so that we may see and believe!

--Those who were crucified with Him were also insulting Him. Mark 15:29-32 

Vicious tongues. How did Jesus respond to the abuse, mocking, and insults? How do we respond to similar abuse, mocking or insults? Jesus had endured vicious tongues before He hung on the cross. The Pharisees constantly were trying to find ways to destroy Him, bending His words and accusing Him of wrong doings, like eating with sinners (Matt. 9:11). Jesus actually said that His followers would suffer because of Him—and that would be a blessing to them. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me…Matthew 5:11. We can anticipate that we will receive abuse, if we haven’t already, just because we believe in Jesus.

Training Tip – Read the following scripture with your family, focusing on the underlined portions.

But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. 1 Peter 3:14-17

Talk with your family to prepare them for times that they may have to face abuse, mocking and insults because they believe in Jesus. Do some role playing so that they have responses ready—to make their defense. It is important, too, that they remember that …A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger… Proverbs 15:1. By giving a kind response to an insult they may win someone to Jesus. 

 

Lord Jesus, help us to be kind and to be prepared to give an answer to those who insult us because we love You.  

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.