Tough Guy

I had an interesting experience about a week ago. I actually had someone threaten me bodily harm in my work place. Basically someone came into my home and threatened me. I was actually thrown for a loop that someone did that. I didn't know how to react. Now my co-workers the whole time were watching me. If I would of stood up out of my chair they would of stood with me, by my side and stood with me. However even though this guy was trying to be a tough guy I kept my seat because I wasn't angry with him. I wonder now if I had been angry what would of happened, but I wasn't. This person came out and said to me that we could step outside. So as my confusion ran through my head I was smart enough to keep my seat. Now some would take that as being chicken or a coward, but I consider it the smartest thing I could of done. What would of happened if I had stood up? Well worse case, people would have been hurt, equipment damage, and reduction in rank. So because I kept my seat, my co-workers did the same and no one got hurt, no equipment was damaged and everyone keeps their rank. So I did the right thing, now what about the other guy? Well he apologized for his actions. I later found out he was a prior marine (it explained a lot. So where to take this new found info in the scripture, well lets look at the life of Jesus and acts of tough-guyness.

Lets start in John 8:3-11. This happens to be one of what I suspect the best examples of Jesus' will-power over shadowing what the Pharisees wanted to see. In this story a woman who is caught in adultery is brought before Jesus. Now the only reason she is brought before Jesus is so that the Pharisees can trap Jesus. Now if we are set up for anything in today's world, we get upset. Actually think about children and if they truly want there way they typically will think of a way to set up their parents. So these Pharisees initially don't get the response they want, so as Jesus writes on the ground, they question the woman in front of Jesus. Now Jesus, whom is calm, doesn't question the woman, but looks to the Pharisees and questions whether the one who is without sin should cast the first stone. Now can you imagine the scene. Jesus didn't miss a beat, he doesn't question the woman who was caught in the act. What she did wasn't hidden but known to the public. He questions the men who have sin that is hidden. What happens next is truly amazing, the men start walking away one at a time until not one is left. Think about what they were thinking when they left. They came into the situation with their heads held high feeling great and they left with their tail between their legs. Jesus didn't even raise his voice. In the last verse, verse 11 Jesus tells the woman to go and leave her life of sin. As I close this verse out, what I wonder the most is what was he writing.

Over here in Iraq we have a catholic chaplain who comes around with what is called Tuesday Trivia. It's 10 questions they ask of every squadron and section and whomever does the best gets this little trophy for the week. Now we are currently the reigning champions for this trophy and really it's only for bragging rights. What brings me to this is the one question that I answered correctly was believe it or not a question from the bible. Now the questions range from so many things it isn't funny. The question I got immediately was how many times was Jesus tempted in the desert? Immediately I answered three and I almost went into what the temptations were. Now thinking back to Matthew 4:1-11, how many times have we been tempted by our friends or family to do the wrong thing and did it. Then comes the guilt and consequences of the action so we are then angry. Look at the reading and notice that Satan tempted Jesus three times:

1. The devil tells Jesus to feed his hunger by turning stones into bread.

2. The devil takes Jesus to a high point and tell him to through himself down.

3. The devil tempts Jesus by saying that he will give Jesus all he can see if he bows down and worships the devil.

Now all three of these things are not a temptation to Jesus because he responds in this way:

1. Man does not live on bread alone, but on ever word that comes from the mouth of God

2. Do not put the Lord your God to the test.

3. Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.

The Lord proves to us that no matter the situation we can control ourselves and not act out of our normal context. Especially when we are intimidated or threatened. We can keep a level head as Jesus has shown us in his example. Now for the last scripture I'm going to use let's go into an example of Jesus showing anger.

In Matthew 21:12-13 it reads, "Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. "It is written," he said to them, " 'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it a 'den of robbers." Now this is a sign of anger that we don't see very often. He uses his own strength to turn over these temples. Now Jesus isn't known as a tough guy. Most tough guys are perceived because of their outward appearance. Now Jesus' outside appearance I can guarantee you wasn't threatening. So I'm sure as the skinny man came in with his anger and started overturning these tables it probably scared a lot of people. Two things typically scare people, aggressiveness and physical size. In this example Jesus was aggressive with getting those who were buying and selling.
This devotional is all about being a tough guy and what happened to me inspired me to write on it. I'm sure I could of used a ton of scripture to get the point across but I liked the three I used. I think they hit home on a lot of levels. Jesus had such a level head on his shoulders and man what an example of how to control ourselves. He didn't push the envelope until he had too. When I was threatened I believe with everything I have that I did the right thing by staying in my seat. I felt so good when the situation was over, I felt that I lived the right example right then and there. There is a time and place for everything and I believe it was my time and place to set the right example for not only myself but those around me. We don't have to be tough all the time, sometimes a little compassion will go a long way….

I hope this finds you doing well…I'm doing very well here in the desert. I have a big inspection this week and I should pass it with flying colors, all the men and women over here are safe and sound. Your prayers are welcomed, needed, and most importantly appreciated by all. I thank you for all your dedication to me and my family.