What if Christ’s thresholds levels were different?
Scripture reading: Matthew 26:30-35 and 69-75. Text: “Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.” Matthew 27:27-31. In our Scripture reading we learn how Apostle Peter had denied the Lord, and our text shows how courageous Christ had been before he was crucified. These two events took place a few hours apart. Apostle Peter had been weak and the Savior had been strong. What are the practical conclusions of Apostle Peter’s failure and Christ’s heroism for us today?
PAIN THRESHOLD.
Doctors know it well that people do not react to pain the same way. While one can stand it and hardly says anything feeling the pain, the other one will cry or even faint when physical discomfort is experienced. Why this great difference? Because the pain threshold varies from person to person.
It is also known that one suffers not only because his/her body aches but also for that fear which anticipates pain. Dentists can tell that a patient cringes not so much because of the painful treatment but due to the fear that whatever the doctor will do may hurt.
IF THE DOCTORS TALK ABOUT PAIN THRESHOLD WHAT KIND OF “THRESHOLD”-s CAN WE MENTION?
PATIENCE, PERSERVERANCE, ENDURANCE threshold. How soon does one realize that his/her patience has run out? How long can a person put up with hardships, vexation and nuisance? People with short temper should learn about anger management. Were you also told: “I am sick and tired of…?” The clergy hears this often: “I quit.” Do you think, leaving everything behind and going away is new?
– “For Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica.” 2 Timothy 4:10 – complained apostle Paul.
“By standing firm you will gain life.” Luke 21:19 – said Jesus.
“As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered.” James 5:11.
IRRITABILITY, SENSITIVITY, TOUCHINESS threshold. We like freedom and are willing to defend it as well as wish to enjoy its benefits. What happens, however, when freedom’s two benefits contradict each other? On one hand, we are free to express our opinion and criticize, and on the other, our feelings are hurt so easy. What is the solution? Talk less or tolerate more? Christ too had to cope with the sensitivity of the people: “From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. ‘You do not want to leave too, do you?’ Jesus asked the Twelve.” John 6:66-67.
FAITHFULNESS, DEDICATION, LOYALTY threshold. Read our text and see how many excuses Christ could have used to change his mind. Also look at Apostle Peter how fickle he had been. What is one of the problems with the families today? People do not remain faithful to each other or to the vows they solemnly made when they got married. When we change our mind we also change our allegiance as well. “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Revelation 2:10. (Once an employee was asked: “What about your loyalty to the company?” He replied: “If you expect loyalty from your worker, higher a dog.”) Where will this idea lead?
EMPATHY, SYMPATHY, COMPASSION threshold. Please remember the story of the Good Samaritan, Luke 10:29-37, how the priest and the Levite had avoided the victim of the robbers and how the Good Samaritan helped for he had compassion. Christ set the example: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew 9:36. (Here we can ask the opposite question: a worker is good for the company only as long as he/she is healthy, strong, and productive?) Can we forget and neglect sick and elderly people.
If you think that these THRESHOLDS belong only to the church, and only the faithful should practice them, let us have a test! Would you want to live in a community where people are impatient, irritable, unfaithful and unsympathetic? Does not this remind you of the golden rule? “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12.
The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Brownsville.