Today’s exhortation – have mercy
Sometimes people we love and trust may do or say something hurtful to us and as hurtful as it may be, we ought not to be easily offended because they may not know what they are doing. Here’s why, In Matthew 16, Jesus asked His disciples who they thought He was and the bible says Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 16:16-17). Two verses later, Jesus told the disciples of His impending death, the bible says, Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying,
“Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” (Matthew 16:22-23). The same Peter who was used by God to reveal Jesus as the Christ was also used by the devil to tempt Him. Although Peter was the one who spoke, it wasn’t him so Jesus didn’t rebuke him, He rebuked the real person Satan! Peter, had no idea what was going on. It goes to show that the same people who will say good things about us can also err against us without even knowing what they are doing so let’s be lenient and forgiving. Amen
Francis Hans-Jorie
