As it is with Nathanael and the others, so it is with us. When those he has called to himself fight against him, he responds by fighting for us . . . and for our hearts. His chief strategy is to return our insults with his kindness, our persecution with his prayers, our dismissive attitudes with his attentiveness, and our brashness with his kindness. As the Proverbs make clear, “A gentle answer turns away wrath” (Prov. 15:1 NIV).
