Zied had endured a long, difficult day and traffic in his crowded South Asian city was even worse than usual. A microbus in front of his car blared its horn while a tuk-tuk narrowly missed colliding with a motorcycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As he inched along, Zied tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, his thoughts already at his destination\u2014Eli\u2019s house. He had been studying the Bible with Eli, a Frontiers field worker, for several months. All week, Zied had looked forward to continuing their conversation on the concept of turning the other cheek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most people in Zied\u2019s community were more likely to retaliate with double the force than to show kindness or understanding after an offense. But Jesus\u2019 way\u2014forgiving and doing good to those who caused you trouble\u2014seemed so much better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Suddenly the microbus directly in front of him swerved sharply, and before Zied had time to react, his car collided with a figure crossing the street. He slammed on his brakes and jumped out of the car to see what had happened. An elderly man lay in front of his car, scraped and groaning but not badly injured. For once, Zied was thankful for the slow speed of traffic in the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jesus wouldn\u2019t want him to demand money from the old man. He would want Zied to help him.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Zied froze for a moment, unsure what to do. Most people he knew didn\u2019t stop when they hit someone. If they did, it was to try to get money to pay for damage to their vehicle. After all, such collisions were the pedestrian\u2019s fault.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But Zied considered what he had been thinking of just before the incident. Jesus wouldn\u2019t want him to demand money from the old man. He would want Zied to help him. Zied hurried toward the man, arm outstretched to help him up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMove along!\u201d A tuk-tuk driver stepped out of his green and yellow vehicle, blocking Zied\u2019s way. \u201cYou\u2019re holding up traffic.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m just helping that man up,\u201d Zied said as he tried to move around the aggressive driver. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The man\u2019s fist balled and swung toward Zied, who lifted an arm to protect himself and blocked the blow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anger contorted the driver\u2019s face, and he lunged at Zied. Suddenly a dozen other tuk-tuk drivers jumped into the street to join the fray, angry that Zied had slowed traffic even more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gravel dug into Zied\u2019s face as one of them knocked him to the ground, and he curled into a ball to weather their blows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Zied hurried to help him up and led him to the sidewalk.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n When the tuk-tuk drivers were satisfied that they had sufficiently made their point, they went back to their vehicles, cursing at Zied. He peeled himself off the street and felt his sore face, wincing at the pain radiating from his swollen skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As he stood, he noticed that the old man was still sprawled on the street. Zied hurried to help him up and led him to the sidewalk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou better get out of here,\u201d the old man warned. \u201cOtherwise, someone else will hurt you.\u201d He hobbled off without offering a thank-you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Zied sighed and returned to his car, ignoring a group of women who shook their heads and clicked their tongues at him. He couldn\u2019t stop his hands from shaking as he drove to Eli\u2019s house and knocked on the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eli\u2019s eyes went wide when he saw Zied\u2019s bruised and bloody face. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Zied told the story as he entered the house and stiffly lowered himself into a chair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI want to be like Jesus. I want to turn the other cheek and help people, even if I don\u2019t get anything good in return.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m so sorry that happened to you,\u201d Eli said, going into the kitchen and returning with a first-aid kit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt wasn\u2019t fun,\u201d Zied responded, attempting a smile despite his cracked lip. Then his expression became serious. \u201cBut I know I made the right choice. I was hit by a motorcycle once and had to go to the hospital. The driver of the motorcycle didn\u2019t try to help me at all. He just tried to get money from me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s terrible.\u201d Eli\u2019s brows drew together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI don\u2019t want to be like that,\u201d Zied continued. \u201cI want to be like Jesus. I want to turn the other cheek and help people, no matter what it costs me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eli sat down across from Zied and popped open the first aid kit. \u201cYou set an example of Jesus to the old man. And to me.\u201d He smiled. \u201cUsually I think I am teaching you about Jesus, but today you are the one teaching me.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Zied returned his smile, thankful for this friend who had shared the love of Jesus with him and thankful that Jesus was showing him how to love others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n