November 6, 2024 Devo

I remember hearing a story years ago about a circus train that had derailed. People from a nearby town came out to help. Others came out just to be nosey. Some teenage boys were teasing the animals that were still in their spilled cages. When they began to poke at the lions with sticks, the lions began to get riled up and started roaring and swiping at the sticks. When some observers saw what was going on, a few began to yell, “Protect the lions! Protect the lions!” That’s when another person yelled, “Just let the lions out, and they’ll protect themselves!” Boom!
Peter felt Jesus needed protecting. So, when the group came to take Jesus and arrest Him, Peter took out a sword and cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant. That’s when Jesus responded with our question for today. “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” In other words, “I can take care of myself!”
We forget that sometimes. I’ve watched time and time again as Christians become like the world and respond in worldly ways—and do so in the name of God! When we encounter people who don’t share our views and engage them in conversation or debate, how often do we resort to the same kind of approach as they do using demeaning language and belittling tactics? Or we respond with sarcasm for sarcasm, anger for anger, or ugliness for ugliness. Jesus didn’t need Peter to become like the world and strike back in retribution to the injustice that was being done. He needed Peter to be like Him in nature and character and trust that God would ultimately make all things right. Jesus could have wiped out the entire crowd that came after Him with just a wave of His hand. But He didn’t. Jesus responded differently than the world responded. And He expects us to do the same.
So when people challenge your faith or even take shots at the God you serve and the Jesus you worship, don’t let it get the best of you. Their words and actions don’t ruffle God’s feathers at all. God will deal with all people in His time. Till then, don’t try to protect Jesus. Just let Jesus out, and He’ll protect Himself! That’s God’s Word for you today.