Settling Differences

Bible Reading: Matthew 5:38-44; 26:47-53

“Do you know what I’m gonna do about Josh tomorrow?” Jacob told his friend Liam as they walked around the side of Jacob’s house. “I’m tired of that bully, and I’ve made up my mind to punch him if he bothers us!”

As they came around a hedge of tall bushes, Jacob was surprised to see his grandfather reading in a lawn chair a few feet away. “See you tomorrow,” Jacob said. Liam waved as he cut through the yard to his house. I hope Grandpa didn’t hear me, Jacob thought. He knew how his grandfather felt about fighting.

“What was that about?” Grandpa asked.

Jacob shrugged. “Just some stuff at school.” He needed to change the subject. “What are you reading?”

“My Bible.” Grandpa patted the cover. “I was reading verses that tell what happened when Jesus was arrested. He demonstrated to His followers that physical fighting is not the way to settle differences.”

Jacob sighed. “You heard what I said to Liam, didn’t you?”

“Yes, I did,” said Grandpa. “And I wondered what made you want to fight.”

“I don’t want to fight,” said Jacob. “But every day this kid named Josh hangs around the soccer field. He grabs our ball if it gets anywhere near him, and he won’t give it back until recess is over.”

“So punching him is the answer?” asked Grandpa.

“I don’t know. I guess not. But what else can we do?”

“Have you talked to your teacher about it?” asked Grandpa. Jacob shook his head. “Think about how Jesus would want you to handle this problem,” said Grandpa. “Even when He knew He was going to die, Jesus taught us to love—not hate. He willingly died on the cross for our sins because He loves us, and He wants us to love our enemies and forgive them.” Grandpa paused. “Maybe there’s some other reason why this boy hangs around the soccer field. Think about it.”

Later that evening, Jacob joined Grandpa on the porch swing. “I thought about what you said,” Jacob told him. “I’m not going to fight. I’m going to try something else—something I should’ve done before.”

“What’s that?” Grandpa asked.

“I’m going to ask Josh if he’d like to play with us!”

-Rose R. Zediker

How About You?

What do you do when someone is mean to you? Do you yell at them? Hit or shove them? Do you encourage other kids to be unkind to that person? Or do you show them the love of Jesus? By taking the punishment for your sins on the cross, He made it possible for you to love your enemies the way He does. Instead of retaliating when someone is mean to you, think of how you can respond with the patience and kindness of Jesus.*

*If someone is bullying you, it’s important to seek help from a trusted adult.

Today’s Key Verse:
1 John 3:18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (NIV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Show God’s love—even to bullies