Sniping: definition – the action of verbally attacking someone in a sly or petty way
The rest of this sentence will show my “clay feet” (Daniel 2:31-45), but am I the only one that gets weary from people sniping? At all times, we all carry a broad spectrum of circumstances, situations, and emotions. And I’m confident we each have a sufficient amount of difficulties. So why do some people feel the need to throw a bit more on our backs?
I rejoice that my Savior, Jesus, did not respond in kind to the sniping of the Pharisees. We find a great example of this in Matthew, chapter twelve. Here’s what was happening (my paraphrase).
Here’s What Happened
Jesus and His disciples were walking through a grain field. His disciples were hungry, so they started picking some of the heads of grain and eating them. Their actions were perfectly legal in Jewish society. However, it was a Sabbath day.
Some Pharisees spotted the disciples and, no doubt, ran to Jesus to tell Him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.” You see, the issue wasn’t WHAT they were doing, but WHEN they were doing it.
As if the Pharisees’ complaint wasn’t enough, the Pharisees lost their collective minds when Jesus healed a man that same day. At this point, the Pharisees decide they had to kill Jesus. Yes, kill Him. So far, I’ve never made anyone sufficiently angry that they wanted to kill me…well, maybe once.
Sniping Not Allowed
What was Jesus’ response? He left (v.15). Then Matthew tells us the following:
Matthew 12:17-21 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”
As we strive to be imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1), “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)
Photo by Andre Hunter on Unsplash
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https://rockexcavationservice.org/2020/01/30/you-follow-me/