Priorities

Jesus did not fight back when the temple guard came to arrest him in the Garden. That would have sent the wrong message. To his own detriment, he considered what he stood for more important than fleeing or protecting himself. He chose to suffer the consequences than cause his attackers or his disciples to misunderstand and act accordingly.

Sometimes we find ourselves in situations where our kids or friends could misread our blameless acts. We deem it advisable to forgo rights than risk the consequences of unnecessary misunderstanding. As with such choices, there is consolation in knowing that Christ himself dealt with such dilemmas to his own hurt.

In observing these emblems that connect us with him, we pledge to prioritize the impressions we make on other people over the rights and privileges we have for personal freedom.