Day 02: Mark and the locker gorillas

Posted by: Nellie
Mark sees 2 guys stealing bikes from school. The next day they are at his locker and threaten him so that he won't tell. What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus in this scenario from today's devo? The youth minister in me says the answer is obvious: tell an adult.

But I know that isn't what I would have done. Honestly, I'm not sure it's what I would do. I've never liked confrontation. I'm more likely to try and show them forgiveness (even though they haven't asked for it). I think one of the most courageous things would be to simply say to them that what they did was totally wrong. 

Whatever action you take, how do you now look at these 2 guys? Do you write them off as thieves and jerks? Is there another way? How could I show forgiveness and friendship to these guys, who probably don't deserve it? How could I be an example to them?

It's never easy to respond to evil with good. It's never easy to respond to hate with love. It's important to speak out against wrong. We also need to show love to those doing the wrong. 

It helps to remember that God showed us grace and love, even before we asked for it. Even while we were still jerks (Romans 5:8).