Today in the One Year Bible, we read something truly frightening in Matthew 27:15-31. Pilate tries to reason with the crowd gathered before him. He tries to give them someone who deserved death. He asks what Jesus has done to deserve what they're asking for. But they don't even answer the question. They just start yelling "Crucify Him!" over and over until he does it.
We are in danger of the same mob mentality today. Groups on both sides of the issues have abandoned reason and civil discourse, and are screaming at one another with their fingers in their ears, calling one another names. They are screaming for the blood of those they perceive to be guilty of sins worse than their own. And they are demanding personal liberties that require the deaths of other people.
We have to learn to listen more and scream less if we're going to love one another. And yes, that's still our greatest commandment. Not to be right about everything. Not to demand our own way. Not to make our "opponents" look bad. Not to score points online.
But to love. We need to open our ears, close our mouths, and listen to what others are saying. Hear their needs. Respond to their concerns. Love them. Otherwise we just go so deeply into our own echo chambers that we only hear ourselves.
I don't mean that we should never speak... but that before we do, we should listen and love.
God, help us to listen... and to love.
1 comment:
Yes and no....if we remain silent about the atrocities around us the evil will overcome us, don’t be aggressive but attempt change with reason and love.
Post a Comment