“Mockers stir up a city, but the wise turn away anger.”
Calvary Chapel calls these mockers “philosophical arsonists.” They come into the world not believing in God and therefore dismiss anything that reflects His wisdom. For one of the ugliest images of this group, we only have to picture those who rallied to slaughter over six million Jews during World War II. The list of these types of people and the terror they have caused is practically endless. One of the worst examples in history is the crowd that gathered, shouting, “Crucify Him!” Less than a week earlier, many in that same crowd were waving palm branches and shouting praise to Jesus. Days later, they had been persuaded to cry out for His innocent blood, calling for Him to be nailed to a cross. The mockers in this case who stirred up that city that day were religious leaders. I know that doesn’t surprise many of us who have known this story most of our lives. Sadly, there are often images on our own television screens of religious leaders—some in the Middle East, some in our own pulpits here in America—who stir up anger in their crowds for political, social, or racial reasons. Thankfully, there have been wise voices who have stood up and turned away anger. In the Christian church today, those wise voices still exist, thankfully they greatly outnumbered the mockers. Jesus was the ultimate wise voice, who spoke—and continues to speak—of peace, love, compassion, as well as truth. Today, be a wise voice. #BeTheEdge
“When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges
