The Prophets and the Teachings of Jesus: Bullying — ‘a national disaster’
Jeremiah 20:7 • O Lord, you have enticed me, and I was enticed; you have overpowered me, and you have prevailed. I have become a laughingstock all day long; everyone mocks me.
Mark 10:34 • They will mock him, and spit upon him, and flog him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise again.
Jesus and Jeremiah were both bullied, ridiculed and brutalized. Jesus has compassion for those teased, bullied, picked on and abused.
Bullying seems to be rampant these days, but there are many speaking up against it. The Presbyterian Church has a history of speaking out against bullying. The Presbyterian News Service ran an article in 2010 titled “Bullying: A National Disaster” about the bullying of LGBT youth.
If you have ever been bullied, know that Jesus understands how you feel. If you know someone being bullied, encourage them to share what is happening and seek help.
Lord, send help to those who are being bullied and don’t know how to get help. Amen.