CHRIST also suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow His steps. (1 Peter 2:2121For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: (1 Peter 2:21).) And as the Christian thinks of Him in His ways upon this earth he can but desire that he was more like Him. Jesus bore the cruel things man said of Him, and answered nothing, and, though He was Lord of all, yet He threatened not His persecutors, from whom He suffered so deeply.
The Lord is an example for the young, as well as for the old; and patience in bearing trials for Christ’s sake is being in some measure like Him, and is well-pleasing to God.
Answering again, or threatening when persons are unkind, is not like the Lord. You must seek to show by your life and ways that you really belong to the Lord Jesus. To say that you are Christ’s, and not to do what Christ did—at least not to seek and to pray for grace to it—is having a name to live, and, we fear, a name only.