If there was anyone that ever walked the face of this earth that was justified to stand up for his rights against all the injustice done to Him it was Jesus. This past week at church our pastor shared about Jesus suffering prior to His crucifixion. We all know how He was horribly beaten, whipped, mocked and a crown of thorns pounded into his scalp, spit on and then crucified on a cross. But really stop and think about His reaction~ He said not a word in His defense...
I have thought about His silence all week ~ He did not say:
"Do you not know who I AM?"
"I am doing this for you! Unthankful people!"
"Stupid people, how can you not see 'I am the Messiah' you are studied in the Law in the prophecies of my coming!"
He said nothing! He did not respond with self-righteous indignation or in self-defense. When He did speak, he said, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." His speech was NOT filled with anger or irritation. His heart was full of compassion and love. Wow!
Yes, He is God and we are human. However, we have the same power available to us to overcome. To walk in the power of the cross. I want to walk in Jesus footsteps. He said not a word and when He did speak he prayed.
I thought about how Jesus prepared himself for that day. . . what happened before He suffered on the way to the cross. He went to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane. He said to his disciples "my soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death." He asked them to stay with him and pray. He prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
The challenges I face seem insignificant in comparison, but the truth is Jesus suffered so we can live and have life abundantly. It is for Him I live. So in difficult situations, trying situations (I am really thinking of difficult days at work- which I have had recently) I need to be prepared ahead of time ~ knowing what lays ahead of me. Jesus example encourages me. I will not fail to call on My Father in Heaven to help me. His will not mine. Fill me with your compassion and love overflowing so I am prepared in the 12th hour, when my human strength is weakest. We don't have to do it on our own. Jesus has overcome the grave and we can too! There is peace, power and victory. I will look at each difficulty as an opportunity to love someone and become more like Christ Jesus my Lord!
