[Shocked gasps, followed by exclamations of "How offensive!"] I know, I know...what could I possibly MEAN by that title?! Well, certainly Jesus loves donkeys. After all, He created them. And He would even pull one out of a ditch on the Sabbath.
God gave us our shapely bottoms as part of the creative design of our human anatomy, so I'm pretty sure He has a fondness for those too. Along with our eyes, ears, feet, etc.
I am actually referring to the THIRD and more colloquially employed definition. I admit that I have seen someone behaving rudely and thought to myself, what a jerk. I have even told people on occasion, "You're being a butt." And when "butt" doesn't seem quiet descriptive enough...I have even put some, at times, in the category of "ass." It's a derogatory term meaning jerk or idiot. It may not be a kind connotation, but it's less vulgar than ___hole or ___hat. What can I say? I am not perfect. Which brings me to my point. At times, if judged by our behavior, we all can and HAVE been asses.
I mean, after all, he who is without sin can feel free to throw the first posterior-shaped stone. We’ve all been rude at some point in time—whether to a stranger or to a loved one. Each of us has stooped to the level of saying something hurtful to someone—something that we knew would hurt. We’ve been snappy, grumpy, impatient, and downright unkind.
Perhaps we’ve even cut in while in traffic. Or we’ve gestured at someone who did—either the “throw up the hands, open mouth wide, and narrow eyebrows” gesture, as if to say, “What on earth are you doing?!”- or some more vulgar representation of the sentiment.
If you fall into this type of behavior more quickly or spontaneously than others, it is no doubt an area you need to work on. If you find yourself hurting or offending others often with your words, it’s definitely a problem area.
But all is not lost. God sees the person you really are and loves you no matter what. In fact, I had this one tattooed on my back because I love it so much: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).
And that also means that the people you categorize as asses or jerks or idiots or whatever—well, God loves them too. In fact, He sent His Son to die for them.
Let’s face it. No one was born with “Ass” or “Future Ass” stamped on his or her forehead. That’s not who they were created to be. So why is it that we so readily assign such a label (or similar one) to people who, quite often, we don’t even know? We are quick to judge people’s character, many times, based on one inconsiderate action. But haven’t we all been inconsiderate?
I am just thinking that the world would be a better place if we gave people the benefit of the doubt more often—maybe even said something nice, though the situation would have us growl and snarl. Don’t we overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21)?
Certainly, there are consequences to negative actions, etc., etc. But why should we be repaying evil (or perceived ill will) with evil? It’s why King Solomon said, “Above else guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Proverbs 4:23). And if we are not spreading life around us, we are spreading the opposite. I’m not saying “be a doormat.” What I am saying is “don’t always be so quick to defend yourself; don’t make the world a darker place than it already is; be the light Jesus called you to be in the world; don’t fall into ass-dom just because somebody got to the checkout line first at the grocery store—and by golly, you were headed in that direction!” Sometimes we make mountains out of molehills—kind of like getting a butt enhancement—it may be impressive and draw attention, but it’s not because it looks good.
I’m just going to say it. Seeking justice over petty things; being rude to cashiers, receptionists, servers; calling people names (whether they can hear you or not) doesn’t look good on anyone. Let us not be some of those who honor God at other times but do not honor Him when we forget that He’s watching. Does our behavior reflect Christ? After all, Jesus says, “Those who honor me I will honor,…” (I Samuel 2:30).
I Peter 2:17 says, “Honor all men; love brotherly fellowship; fear God; Honor the King.” May we be honorable in the way we conduct ourselves.
In short, yes, Jesus
loves even those who behave as asses…but it’s not desirable or praiseworthy
conduct. Rather, “whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name
of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians
3:17).
