Thursday, 02 October 2008
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A mile, and then what?
To my dear Joanna:
Thank you for reminding me that
I am not the point.I was pondering an old saying the other day. "Before you judge someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes." Meaning, you cannot rightfully pass judgment on one whose circumstances have not tested you and found you better than they. Even then, I would argue that each circumstance tries each person differently, so even if you've gone through the same things they have, you cannot judge their inferiority (or superiority, for that matter) by their reactions; the best you can do is learn from that in which they excel, and advise them in that which they lack.
This applies to all mortal, sinful persons. But what of the immortal and sinless? Of course I speak of God himself, especially concerning his time here on Earth in for the form of a man, Jesus the Christ. In that state he experienced all the trials which I do, yet he never once acted against any man or against God. Having suffered every test and passing all without fault, he of all beings should have the ultimate right, and according to many the ultimate obligation, to judge all of us who have failed so miserably in every aspect!
This is where the amazing love of God is best revealed, in his final verdict concerning mankind. Where the decision of a man would be to condemn the sinners for their faults, Jesus, having done right in every way in which we have all done wrong, has not only chosen not to condemn us, but indeed taken upon himself the burden of being our advocate against the just wages of our sins.
Have you ever considered this? It was fully within his rights to leave the world having served as an example of perfection and watch as we failed to meet that example. His loving choice, though, was to take what he had now experienced for himself and to do something about it. He saw our helplessness and sacrificed himself to provide help, despite the plain fact that we are undeserving of such a gift.
Consider those who have hurt you: are you blinded by your own pain as you lash out against them in return, or can you sacrifice your chance at revenge to see their hurting heart and help them in whichever ways you are able? Are you able to make yourself less important than them, for the good of everyone? Or will you continue to be puffed up and think yourself better than they are, despite your own sin?
You have heard that it has been said, "an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:" But I say to you, do not recompense evil: but whoever smites you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; and if a man sues you in a court of law and takes your coat, let him have your cloak also; and whoever compels you to go a mile, go with him two miles. - Matthew 5: 38-41
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