amitymamaThe Attachment Parenting Community

J3 · 09-21-2006, 04:15 PM

Jesus was kind to everyone. Now how did he keep from being taken advantage of? IOW how was he assertive? because if he let someone mistreat him then he wouldn't have been kind to himself, and being the son of God that would seem like a big no no.
I hope this doesn't sound mocking I don't mean it that way. I'm genuinely curious.
Be as detailed or general as you like. If you need clarification on my question let me know too.

Thanks.

Dannielle · 09-21-2006, 04:34 PM

Being "taken advantage of" implies that someone is taking (your time, energy, etc) without your full consent. Someone cannot take from you if you give of yourself freely.

J3 · 09-21-2006, 05:41 PM

Ok taking advantage might not have been the best words to use. Was my question offensive? maybe it was misunderstood.
How did Jesus remain assertive even giving freely? no one ever took too much?
I've heard of people asking for things from churches and taking too much or having to be cut off or at least given boundaries.

In order to be like Jesus how does one find the right balance between being kind and not selling yourself short.

maryalene · 09-21-2006, 09:30 PM

I think Jesus was/is perfect and all-knowing. Therefore, he always knew the right thing to do - i.e. when it was right to be assertive and when it was right not to be. He knew what everyone needed and was able to act accordingly. While Christians aspire to be like Jesus, we are handicapped by the fact that we don't know what someone needs so it is not always easy to figure out whether someone needs some extra care and compassion or whether they need some "tough love."

Barb · 09-21-2006, 09:35 PM

Jesus often left the group to go pray - to rejuvinate himself so he could continue to give of himself. I agree with Maryalene that Jesus is perfect and all knowing... he knew/knows when to be firm, when to give more, when to correct, when to teach, when to give and when to hold back. Thats why we aspire to be more like him.

Dannielle · 09-22-2006, 12:41 AM

Nope, not offensive in the least.

I guess I just look at Jesus as being the greatest example of servitude. And, to me at least, it seems that if the goal is to serve others with a generous and loving heart, nothing can be taken that is not already being offerred freely.

Does that make sense? The thought is somewhat nebulous in my head so I am probably not verbalizing well.

jeni · 09-22-2006, 07:36 PM

I agree with Dannielle and MaryAlene!

annb · 09-23-2006, 01:36 AM

I guess my thought would be that, He didn't. They did mistreat him! They crucified him. And when I say "they", it's actually ME, it's acutally US...we mistreated him, it is our sins that mock him, condemn him, and yet he still loves us enough to die for us, so that we may live forever.

DixieChick · 09-25-2006, 07:32 PM

Jesus was VERY assertive. He even got ANGRY! He wasn't kind to everyone. But he was never hateful or behaved ina sinful manner. He threw the tax collectors out of the temple. He was furious that shops had been set up outside his "Father's house." He called them a brood of vipers, and it was true since God cannot lie.

He did get tired. He tried often to take some quiet time alone, but was followed. The story of Jesus feeding the 5 thousand comes after he has crossed the sea to rest. Isntead, he preached the message of God, as was His job.