As a little boy, I've always abhorred oppression, especially
those mixed with violence, perpetrated towards people with little or no help or
the ability to defend themselves, but then, there was nothing I could do then, but to wish for some kind of superpowers to avenge the oppressed,
unfortunately, they were just mere wishes.
Violence can be described as man’s inhumanity to man at any
level and most often in our world, we believe that the only response to
oppression, injustice and ultimately violence is… violence and it is quite
logical, to some extent, to think that way. The violence that the world suffers
today is not a punishment of any kind but a natural consequence of our own
violent actions. As humans, we have been wired psychologically to instinctively
respond to violence in one of two ways; flight or fight. We either stand and
fight when we are sure the odds are in our favour, e.g. David and Goliath
(1Samuel 17:45) or run for our dear lives like the children of Isreal did against
the Judeans in 2Chronicles 13:16.
But Jesus Christ offers a third way; a non-violent direct
action. Now, this does not mean non-resistance or cowardice. Jesus Christ said
in Matthew 5:38 – 42;
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth
for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your
right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him
have your cloak also.
And whoever compels you to go one mile, go
with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow
from you do not turn away”
In a book by Martin Robinson, a story was told of a man who
had a bad day at the office, he was criticised, abused and wrongly accused by
his employer. When he got home, he poured the anger and aggression on his wife,
a few minutes later, their first child came around and the mother transferred
the anger and negative emotions to him, the boy felt hurt and unhappy and in
turn, made the youngest daughter feels her share of the anger and negative
energy flowing around, being the youngest child and no one to transfer her
anger to, she fled to her room, picked her doll, pummelled it, smashed it and
threw it violently across the room, leaving it in tatters – like a rag doll – where
it lays helplessly on the ground. And surprisingly, the doll did not react nor
did it fight back, and just like that, the flow of anger and violence had
finally been absorbed and ended.
The actions of the doll illustrate an aspect of Christ’s
action on the cross; ending the superiority of evil and it’s rulers. But
breaking the cycles of violence is not just to allow violence to pass without
any comment, it is also to allow a new beginning and new stories to emerge.
Jesus Christ was a willing innocent who chose not to speak
in his own defence, but rather to remain silent (Mark 15:5). Jesus Christ
embodies the covenant of non-violence which invites us to become a people of
peace. And to fulfil our side of the covenant, we must renounce all forms of
violence, make peace, seek justice for the poor and helpless, love our enemies,
forgive wholeheartedly and LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY. Are you willing to be an ambassador for peace?
...By Neogalgius.
Credit; Why the Cross by Martin Robinson
...By Neogalgius.
Credit; Why the Cross by Martin Robinson
