Christ the Ideal

Patience

We find no greater example of patience, especially in the face of suffering, than our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Throughout His ministry, Jesus showed tremendous patience with His followers (see Mark 8:14-33, for example). The one place where His patience shines most brightly, of course, is Calvary. If God's patience can be defined as delaying punishment and showing mercy, then the cross stands as the purest and strongest example. Read John 18-19

* Does Jesus have the power to stop the proceeding? Why does He choose no to do so? (See John 18:11)

* What indignities does Jesus suffer during the religious trial, and why does He endure it so patiently (18:19-24)?

* What did His enemies accuse Him of in the religious trial? In the secular trial?

* In light if Deuteronomy 21:22-23, how does the cross provide the perfect and ultimate example of longsuffering?

Dear God! Grant us also peaceful hearts and good courage in our struggle and unrest against the devil, whom we cannot endure nor finally defeat. We desire to have peace, and to praise and thank You, and not to grumble nor become impatient against Your divine will. Grant that peace in our hearts wins the day, so that we hold nothing against You, our God, nor against our fellow man, because of impatience. Rather, help us to remain calm and peaceful, both inwardly and outwardly, to You and to all people, until the coming of that final and eternal peace.

(Martin Luther, 1483-1546)

 

Know this, my believed brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God requires. James 1:19-20

To prepare for "Kindness in Action," read the Book of Ruth