The Story of Jesus
We all know how it hurts, cuts to soul, of who we are when we are accused of behavior that we did not do or even think of doing. There seems to be no defense in those situations, for if someone wants you out, they will do all they can to see it done. If you arrogantly deny loudly, the backlash is more accusations of, “See, I told you so.” If you lower yourself to the level of throwing mud back at your accusers, you become just as dirty as they are. We are not perfect. We make missteps in judgement. The best way to move on, is to humbly be silent at times, and just…move on.
Let the battle belong to the Lord, for HE is perfect and withstood more than we can imagine in our own daily lives of mere disappointments and troubling relationships. Jesus, Our Perfect Example teaches us a powerful lesson today. This lesson is timely for me and brings tears to my eyes that washes over my soul with more love for Jesus than ever before. Read how He handles His accusers, but even more, realize how much He withstood because of His love for us.
Matthew 26, The Message
False Charges
57-58 The gang that had seized Jesus led him before Caiaphas the Chief Priest, where the religion scholars and leaders had assembled. Peter followed at a safe distance until they got to the Chief Priest’s courtyard. Then he slipped in and mingled with the servants, watching to see how things would turn out.
59-60 The high priests, conspiring with the Jewish Council, tried to cook up charges against Jesus in order to sentence him to death. But even though many stepped up, making up one false accusation after another, nothing was believable.
60-61 Finally two men came forward with this: “He said, ‘I can tear down this Temple of God and after three days rebuild it.’”
62 The Chief Priest stood up and said, “What do you have to say to the accusation?”
63 Jesus kept silent.
Then the Chief Priest said, “I command you by the authority of the living God to say if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”
64 Jesus was curt: “You yourself said it. And that’s not all. Soon you’ll see it for yourself:
The Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Mighty One,
Arriving on the clouds of heaven.”
65-66 At that, the Chief Priest lost his temper, ripping his robes, yelling, “He blasphemed! Why do we need witnesses to accuse him? You all heard him blaspheme! Are you going to stand for such blasphemy?”
They all said, “Death! That seals his death sentence.”
67-68 Then they were spitting in his face and banging him around. They jeered as they slapped him: “Prophesy, Messiah: Who hit you that time?”
He went through all of this, knowing full well Who He was, knowing He had the power to stop it, but didn’t…for you…for me. Amazing love! Unconditional love trumps false charges.
Dear Heavenly Father, You sent Your Son, a part of You and all You, to save us from ourselves and our accuser. Thank You for Your powerful salvation! Thank you for your amazing, unconditional love, so expansive, so unbelievable at times and yet so evident in our lives every day if we stop and realize it. Today, I realize it. Again.
And I praise you, thank you, and love you back with all my heart, mind and soul. Go with us, still, this day, and help us love each other like you love us…unconditionally. This is harder than it sounds. So we need Your Holy Spirit flowing through us to love even those who don’t love us back. In Jesus Name, Amen
Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus) 