“From playgrounds, to boardrooms, to bedrooms, bullies camouflage their insecurities, fears, and shame as they harm others. In vain, they aggressively work out their own trauma on others and the grief within never subsides; it only compounds. Rather than acknowledge, befriend, and attend to their own wounds, they cope through destructive behavior. Sometimes it is physical, other times it is verbal, but every time it is emotional. Victims of bullying know firsthand that the emotional toll can outlast any physical or verbal assault. That’s because bullies pound not only the flesh but the spirit. And the bruised, discolored spirit can limp for decades.
In the distance, John’s gospel howls; “I have come that they might have life and have it to the full.” His shalom comes through acts of bravery, confrontation, and prophetic love. When self-righteous men in robes were exploiting the poor in the name of God, Jesus stood up. Sometimes reckoning, accountability, and truth telling looks like weaving and wielding a whip.
As the temple workers taxed the poor, Jesus’ blood boiled, sweat rolled down his cheeks, and a wild fury descended on holy ground. It wasn’t just about doves and coins and empty pockets; it was about scorched and empty souls. With a booming voice and dog-snarled lip we hear, “My Father’s house should be called a house of prayer but you have made it a den of thieves!” The whip popped the bullies ran for cover. You see, the same One who is gentle and lowly of heart is also the Great Bull in a China Shop. ”
