“The Church is... where the Lord is acknowledged, and where the Word is.” - The New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine §242
Kempton New Church


Day 36: March 31

Readings:

And straightaway in the morning, the chief priests, having held a consultation with the elders and with the scribes and the whole council, bound Jesus, and led Him away, and delivered Him up to Pilate. And Pilate asked Him, Art Thou the King of the Jews? And He answering said to him, Thou sayest. And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing. And Pilate asked Him again, saying, Answer Thou nothing? Behold how many things they witness against Thee. But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marveled. (Mark 15:1-5)

If a man repels an insulting enemy, and in self-defense strikes him or delivers him to the judge in order to prevent injury to himself, and yet with a disposition to befriend the man, he acts from a charitable spirit. Wars that have as an end the defense of the country and the church, are not contrary to charity. The end in view declares whether it is charity or not. (True Christian Religion 407)

Reflection:

Some people have taken the command to turn the cheek as an endorsement of strict non-violence. Some have tried to re-interpret that command as a power move of some kind. What we see Jesus do in the situation is be silent in the face of lies and accusations. We know that the Lord is all loving and so He would not intentionally hurt or retaliate even when He was attacked. We are not supposed to allow evil people to hurt us or other good people, but we should not allow ourselves to be caught up in revenge. How easy is it to stand up to resist evil with a heart full of love and compassion?

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