I think at some point we have all experienced it. We've been falsely accused of something. We have been unjustly blamed for another's mistake. We have walked into a situation not of our making and have been condemned for it. We've been thrown under the bus. In looking up the origin of the phrase, there is no hard and fast example of when it was first used and for what reason. But by and large it means to sacrifice some other person, usually one who is undeserving or at least vulnerable, to make personal gain.
Probably the first time it happened to us was when we were a kid. For me it was when I was accused of smoking cigarettes when I was about 8 or 9. As harsh as it sounds, kids are pretty good at doing this. Sister Susie breaks the priceless vase; 'no, it wasn't me, it was Harry'. Or, 'I didn't eat the last cookie, it was Julie'. Or that infamous trickster who seems to live in every home, Ida No. These are usually pretty innocent occasions, that if a child is taught right, they come to realize it is not right to blame someone else.
But as we get older, if we don't have a strong moral code, we will blame others for all kinds of things. The Democrats blame the Republicans. The Protestants blame the Catholics. And vice versa. The list goes on and on. Petty bickering and an argumentative spirit pervade our nation. No one wants to be held accountable, no one wants to toe the line. That is almost understandable in this day and age. But when it comes to the malicious lying and manipulating that goes on today, it is shameful. To cast a person in an unfavorable light with others; to take action or make statements intended to put another person at a disadvantage. And to do it in a way that is a combination of sneaky, subtle and vicious.
Let's talk about someone who was thrown under the bus...
Wait, let's talk about someone who willingly threw Himself under the bus. For me and for you.
Jesus, the ultimate example of goodness. The one with the utmost innocence. The one whose righteousness was supreme. That Jesus. He, in accord with God's plan for us, threw Himself under the bus for us. Instead of our paying for our sins and unrighteousness, when we were most deserving of death and punishment received clemency instead of the severity due us. He took our disadvantage and turned it into an unimaginable advantage. He took the sin of the world on His back. He became detestable in the eyes of His Father, so that God could look on us with love and mercy.
He willingly and knowingly walked into that situation for us so that we might have favor and grace with our Heavenly Father.
Every time I think about what He chose to do for us, it really blows my mind. I don't mean that lightly. I cannot grasp the depth of His sacrifice for me. I cannot truly fathom the profound love He had and has for me. I have a hard enough time letting someone in front of me in the checkout line. That kind of sacrifice??? Doubt it.
But I tell you this...I am working on becoming more like Him. So that His going under the bus is not in vain. So that I am pursuing Christ-likeness every day. So that I try to put myself in another's shoes before I judge. So that I attempt kindness, in the kindest way possible. So that I shine the light of Jesus wherever I go. So that the blessing of His sacrifice is not fruitless in my life. So that the wheels of the bus go 'round and 'round, all the day long.
Probably the first time it happened to us was when we were a kid. For me it was when I was accused of smoking cigarettes when I was about 8 or 9. As harsh as it sounds, kids are pretty good at doing this. Sister Susie breaks the priceless vase; 'no, it wasn't me, it was Harry'. Or, 'I didn't eat the last cookie, it was Julie'. Or that infamous trickster who seems to live in every home, Ida No. These are usually pretty innocent occasions, that if a child is taught right, they come to realize it is not right to blame someone else.
But as we get older, if we don't have a strong moral code, we will blame others for all kinds of things. The Democrats blame the Republicans. The Protestants blame the Catholics. And vice versa. The list goes on and on. Petty bickering and an argumentative spirit pervade our nation. No one wants to be held accountable, no one wants to toe the line. That is almost understandable in this day and age. But when it comes to the malicious lying and manipulating that goes on today, it is shameful. To cast a person in an unfavorable light with others; to take action or make statements intended to put another person at a disadvantage. And to do it in a way that is a combination of sneaky, subtle and vicious.
Let's talk about someone who was thrown under the bus...
Wait, let's talk about someone who willingly threw Himself under the bus. For me and for you.
Jesus, the ultimate example of goodness. The one with the utmost innocence. The one whose righteousness was supreme. That Jesus. He, in accord with God's plan for us, threw Himself under the bus for us. Instead of our paying for our sins and unrighteousness, when we were most deserving of death and punishment received clemency instead of the severity due us. He took our disadvantage and turned it into an unimaginable advantage. He took the sin of the world on His back. He became detestable in the eyes of His Father, so that God could look on us with love and mercy.
He willingly and knowingly walked into that situation for us so that we might have favor and grace with our Heavenly Father.
Every time I think about what He chose to do for us, it really blows my mind. I don't mean that lightly. I cannot grasp the depth of His sacrifice for me. I cannot truly fathom the profound love He had and has for me. I have a hard enough time letting someone in front of me in the checkout line. That kind of sacrifice??? Doubt it.
But I tell you this...I am working on becoming more like Him. So that His going under the bus is not in vain. So that I am pursuing Christ-likeness every day. So that I try to put myself in another's shoes before I judge. So that I attempt kindness, in the kindest way possible. So that I shine the light of Jesus wherever I go. So that the blessing of His sacrifice is not fruitless in my life. So that the wheels of the bus go 'round and 'round, all the day long.