MODERATED REACTIONS

John  16:4a But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them.

When you expect a particular outcome, your disposition differs from another who is taken by surprise. You are more grounded, less volatile, calmer, more assured and from the lens of others, have confidence bordering on the precipice of arrogance. But, it’s not your fault, it’s because you had a heads up.

When Peter was going on and on about going all the way with Jesus, He was told by Jesus ‘before the cock crows, you will betray me three times. So when it happens, it’s a reminder to Peter, and Jesus does not react any differently. On his journey to the cross, that fore-knowledge of Peter’s betrayal was perhaps crucial in not adding to an already challenging situation.

Life centres largely on action and reaction. The Physicists would reference Newton’s third law summarized as “to every action, there is an equal but opposite reaction”. Yet, in today’s discourse, knowing ahead of time could allow one amend their reactions instead of defaulting to the automated response.

Recall the parable Jesus told in Matthew 11:17 “we played the flute, you did not dance, we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn. Some people seem to know which buttons to press to solicit specific reactions from you and they have succeeded each time because your responses have always been automated. Now that you have a heads up, would you keep responding the same way? Perhaps, now may be the time to moderate your reactions.

#sly