day no. 17,311: the miracle of Jesus' mood

“Remember the perfections of Jesus, and marvel at this crowning perfection—the fact that He was not totally exasperated all the time, in every conversation He ever had.” — Douglas Wilson, All the Condemnation

Many of us walk around like a storm cloud because of what we assume others are thinking. Jesus knew exactly what other were thinking and yet walked around like a ray of sunshine. He knew better than anyone how bad his neighbors were and yet He treated His neighbors better than most of us who imagine the worst about our neighbors, but fall short of how bad it really is.

John 2:24-25

Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

Herein lies the miracle of Jesus' mood. He is a master class in self-control. He knew enough to justify hostility, yet He was kind, but He also knew enough about men to resist their flattery. So, in Jesus, we see the marriage of perfect knowledge and perfect conduct. He knew better than anyone what men really deserved and He more than anyone gave them more than they deserved.

John 1:16

Of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

Knowing that men would kill Him, He lived for them. 

Knowing that men would live in Him, He died for them.