Matthew 27:13-14 "Then Pilate said to Him, 'Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?' And He did not answer him with regard to even a single charge, so the governor was quite amazed."

Nobody wants to be falsely accused. Nobody wants to feel attacked or abused. Our first response to an attack is to defend ourselves. Emotions well, reactions war and soon we no longer remember how we got into the ring, but we are aiming for a full fledged KO. How is it possible to approach accusations, real or false, without allowing our emotions to take over? Is it really feasible to respond without a fight?

Christ knew what it was like to be accused, attacked and abused. However, unlike the way I usually want to respond, Christ did not fight back. Matthew says that He did not respond to "even a single charge"(my emphasis). Pilate said that there were many accusations, and yet Christ was silent. Not a sigh. Not a justification. Not a rebuttal. Not one response. How could He do it?

Isaiah 53:7 says, "He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth."

Christ knew that He was going to be accused, attacked and abused. He also knew what He was enduring it for. He did not respond because He knew what His death would accomplish, there was a purpose for His abuse. It is so humbling to know that our Savior knew ahead of time what He was going to endure for me and still chose to endure it. The only way I can see to not respond to accusations with anger is to look to Christ and His bigger picture. 2 Corinthians 3:1-6 tells us that we are a living letter of Christ to the world, written on our hearts by the Holy Spirit. That means that I have no excuses. The Holy Spirit in me should be my response instead of my desire to fight back. Time to let Him work in me!

Praying you would experience His grace today,

Meghan

One Voice of Worship