The Silent Treatment

I came across a captivating research article of Perdue University.

 In short, a professor of psychology conducted a study on the psychological effects of isolation and rejection on individuals.  Specifically, the effects of being ignored, rejected, or excluded by someone or a group.

To my surprise, research has shown that all of these forms of silent treatment activate the same area of the brain that detects physical pain.  

In other words, individuals who are ignored or experience rejection, exclusion, and isolation literally experience the same kind of aches as physical injury.  

 It’s no wonder all throughout the NT, we find Jesus reaching the shunned and outcasts of society. 

He saw, what the rest didn’t.  

Persons who have been rejected and ignored are, therefore, bruised on the inside.  

Ironically, often, it was the religious group that shunned and ignored those who didn’t measure up to their religious standards.  

And further, they accused Jesus of eating and drinking with those they rejected, tax collectors and sinners.  

Notice carefully the following teaching of Jesus…

All who came before me were thieves and robbers… (John 10:8 NLT)

My study Bible labels them, “unfaithful ministers”.

The Amplified Bible labels them “self-appointed leaders”...

All who came before Me [as false messiahs and self-appointed leaders] are thieves and robbers…(John 10:8 AM)

Further…

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy… I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.( vs.10)

In summary, Jesus compares the unfaithful ministers and self-appointed leaders to thieves and robbers who steal, kill, and destroy (ignorantly bruise) the flock.  

But Christ has come that these same find life and live more abundantly.  

Jesus then affirms, unlike them, I am the good shepherd (vs. 11) .

I am also one who leaves 99 well-fed sheep to vigorously pursue the one lost, alone, and bruised. 

 

 

“We hurt people by being too busy. Too busy to notice their needs. Too busy to drop that note of comfort or encouragement or assurance of love. Too busy to listen when someone needs to talk. Too busy to care.”  - Billy Graham 

Professor: Pain of ostracism can be deep, long-lasting. (n.d.). 2011-05-10 08:45:01.65 |         Purdue University. http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/research/2011/110510WilliamsOstracism.html 

Supporting Text

He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!” (Matt. 21:13)