Luke chapter 16 verses 14-15 (NIV)
The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.
Matthew Chapter 5 verses 38-40 (NIV)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.
I think that sneering is the worst thing to do to anyone. It’s derogatory and usually means that the person doing so has a very high opinion of themselves and is looking down on someone else. That is exactly what the Pharisees were doing here. But it didn’t phase Jesus at all. He knew their hearts after all. How do we react when someone behaves like that? These days there are many who will react in that way to our faith and beliefs. They refuse to accept what we say and behave the way the Pharisees did towards Jesus. But we need to be very careful to behave towards them with integrity and not respond in the wrong way, even if it seems perfectly to do so. That is what Jesus taught us from the sermon on the mount. God knows our hearts as well as theirs and He expects us to do what is right, even if its hard to do so.
Dear Lord,
Help me to be a true disciple of Jesus and always behave towards others with integrity, no matter how I am treated in return. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.