Viktor Frankl grew up in a time when it was believed that when someone does bad things to you, your life will be miserable; you can’t do much about it. Being a Jew, Frankl was imprisoned in a Nazi death camp. His parents, brother and wife died in the camps. Frankl himself was tortured, always aware that his path could also end in a gas chamber. He could have surrendered to self-pity and anger, and no one could have blamed him for that. But one day, stripped naked and alone in a small room, he realised that he himself could decide how all of this was going to affect him. He decided to use his circumstances for the benefit of others. He became an inspiration to those around him, even to some guards. He helped others to find meaning in their suffering and dignity in their prison existence. Later he would write his now widely known book: “Man’s search for meaning”. In the book he writes: ‘The one thing you can’t take away from me is the way I choose to respond to what you do to me. The last of one’s freedoms is the ability to choose one’s attitude.’
During the week there was a radio programme which invited people to phone in. One after the other they told how they were intimidated at work; how awful it was for them and how they suffer thereby. Frankl says there’s good news. We can do something about it. We can choose not to be intimidated! At work we must listen to advice and orders but in no way should we take notice of insults and swearing. We must respond with friendliness and thoughtfulness, and thus give nobody power over us. It’s not without reason that we read: No! Love your enemies (Luk 6:35). Jesus says it because He knows it’s good for us. We can choose to give someone power over us, or be angry with someone, and so fill our lives with grudges. We can choose not to forgive someone, but then we ourselves suffer thereby, inadvertently. These would be stupid choices. Frankl has good advice: “I can choose how to respond to what you do to me.”
About 2000 years ago another man was also stripped naked – but He was then nailed to a cross. It was Jesus. Jesus was innocent and performed only good deeds. Even so, the crowd got their way. He was beaten and crucified. Bitterness, fury and revenge would have been natural reactions. But look at what He did while He hanged on the cross:
He pleaded with God to forgive those who mocked and crucified Him. “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing!” (Luke 23:34). Jesus saved a criminal who turned to Him: “I tell you the truth, today you shall be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:39-43). He was nailed to the cross but was still concerned about his mother. He said to his mother that his disciple must be her son from then on, and to his disciple He said: “From now on she will be your mother!” (John 19:26 – 27).
During Jesus’ tremendous suffering He still did not merely think ofhis own grief, but also of the needs of the people whom He loved so dearly. Such is the love of our Saviour, our Lord and our God. His actions were indeed those of a King, even on the cross. And don’t forget – we are children of the King!
Our heavenly Father, thank You for your boundless love – as You had it manifested in the life and sacrifice of Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
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