Revenge

I have a confession.

I had plans to release a blog that would exact a measure of revenge upon those who I believe have hurt me. I carefully composed a great piece that used scripture and truth to hit back at “those people".” They and the world needed to know the depth of my hurt. They needed to know what I and others had been through. I felt justified in my belief that they deserved it, afterall I was the victim. I worked and worked and worked. I went through draft after draft and I felt like it was perfect, I was just waiting for the right time to unleash my righteous fury upon them. To make sure I had the right tone and was not too vindictive, I sent it to my sister and brother-in-law. They have been a ministry couple for over 30 years and they would understand. After a day of thought I received a reply. They reminded me that Jesus suffered the biggest betrayal and yet chose not to fight back. They reminded me that God has me and that He will fight my battles. They reminded me that I am loved and that God has chosen me to lead a new group of people, and what a people they are. So, I have put that blog away. It will never see the light of day.

Sometimes the hurt is so deep that revenge is all we can think of. Revenge, it’s said, is a dish best served cold. That means that revenge should be put off until it’s unexpected. The problem is that while you are waiting to enact revenge, it tears your heart apart. Bitterness creeps in and all you can think about is how you will get that person back. As a follower of Jesus it’s even worse because you are also actively pushing the Holy Spirit aside and ignoring His counsel, which is sin. a Japanese proverb says

“Seek revenge and you should dig two graves.”

One for the person you want to hurt and the 2nd for yourself. Revenge will always cost you more than you bargain for. It never changes minds and it doesn’t change the situation. It will make matters worse.

I’m 53 and I like to play video games. One of my favorites is Red Dead Redemption 2. In the game you play Arthur Morgan (voiced and acted by the incredible Roger Clark). Arthur is conflicted. He has a strong desire to do right, but finds himself dragged back in. One thing he does is cautions the other characters not to take revenge. He says that “Revenge is a fools game.” Revenge will make you look like and act like a fool so much that those who had respect for you will lose it immediately. It won’t matter that you’re right. It won’t matter that you are justified. What will matter is that I didn’t live up to who I say I am.

The night I write this is the Thursday before Easter called, Maundy Thursday. It’s the night that Jesus and His 12 disciples have a dinner in the upper room. In this scene, which is just a few hours before Jesus is arrested, is one of the most powerful moments of Jesus’ ministry. As the disciples are filing in no one thinks about the washing of the feet. In that culture, a servant or low ranking individual would wash the feet of the others to remove the dirt so they would be clean to recline at the table and eat. All the disciples thought that they were too good to do such a menial task, but not Jesus.

“so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” John 13:4-5.

Now, I have read and preached through this verse many times and I missed a incredible detail and maybe you did too. Jesus washed ALL of the disciples feet— even Judas’. Judas had already betrayed him. Already sold him out and Jesus knew it, but He washed them anyways. You know what we would have done? We would have poured the water over Judas’ head and hit him with the basin, but not Jesus. He lovingly got down and served His betrayer. He loved him to the end. That is incredible.

Lastly, when you take revenge you don’t leave room for God. Romans 12;19 says “Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. It’s not my job to take revenge. It’s my job to pray for those who hurt me.” (Matthew 5:44). One day God will reveal everyone’s hearts and everything done in secret will be laid bare; including my things I’ve done wrong and on that day God will make all things right and all of us will be ashamed.

What I have determined is that revenge costs too much. In the end it’s not worth compromising my character, my calling or my new congregation to score cheap points. I will leave it all to Him who will make all things right.