Luke 23:1-25
Today's Passage: Luke 23:1-25
Today is that gut wrenching story about Jesus where the people shout “Crucify Him!” That story that when we really understand it brings us to our knees in thankfulness.
Jesus is brought before Pilate and then Herod. He is questioned. He is accused. He is mocked. Then He is brought before the people, the people He came to be a sacrifice for, only to be condemned by them. You can hear the echoes… “CRUCIFY HIM! CRUCIFY HIM!” It’s chilling.
But what sticks out to me each time is how Jesus never spoke up and defended Himself. He could have, but He chose not to.
As 1 Peter 2:23 says, “He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.”
All of this just brings a thought to my mind.
WHY DO WE OFTEN FEEL SO DEFENSIVE?
Maybe it’s just me, but I often feel like I have to overly defend myself, my position, my views, my motives, etc. I am not saying it is always wrong to defend yourself, but at least for me, I think a lot of my defensiveness comes because of my lack of confidence in God too. I would never utter this with my words but it may be reflective of my heart.
I think it is good to ask ourselves, “What does our defensiveness show about our hearts?”
Maybe nothing. Maybe a lot. We should ask ourselves, “How can I entrust myself to the one who judges justly/fairly?”
I also think we may have a false expectation that we won’t ever be misunderstood. Jesus experienced, and told us, the opposite. In fact, He said we would be misunderstood! But even though we may be misunderstood, reviled, or questioned, we get to love God, stand on His Word, and show others the life they can have in Him. What an honor!
A great question to ask ourselves is, “Where am I tempted to compromise on God’s Word because I feel misunderstood?”
Love you CPC! Praying for you today! How did God speak to you today?
Written By: Nick Parsons
Today is that gut wrenching story about Jesus where the people shout “Crucify Him!” That story that when we really understand it brings us to our knees in thankfulness.
Jesus is brought before Pilate and then Herod. He is questioned. He is accused. He is mocked. Then He is brought before the people, the people He came to be a sacrifice for, only to be condemned by them. You can hear the echoes… “CRUCIFY HIM! CRUCIFY HIM!” It’s chilling.
But what sticks out to me each time is how Jesus never spoke up and defended Himself. He could have, but He chose not to.
As 1 Peter 2:23 says, “He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.”
All of this just brings a thought to my mind.
WHY DO WE OFTEN FEEL SO DEFENSIVE?
Maybe it’s just me, but I often feel like I have to overly defend myself, my position, my views, my motives, etc. I am not saying it is always wrong to defend yourself, but at least for me, I think a lot of my defensiveness comes because of my lack of confidence in God too. I would never utter this with my words but it may be reflective of my heart.
I think it is good to ask ourselves, “What does our defensiveness show about our hearts?”
Maybe nothing. Maybe a lot. We should ask ourselves, “How can I entrust myself to the one who judges justly/fairly?”
I also think we may have a false expectation that we won’t ever be misunderstood. Jesus experienced, and told us, the opposite. In fact, He said we would be misunderstood! But even though we may be misunderstood, reviled, or questioned, we get to love God, stand on His Word, and show others the life they can have in Him. What an honor!
A great question to ask ourselves is, “Where am I tempted to compromise on God’s Word because I feel misunderstood?”
Love you CPC! Praying for you today! How did God speak to you today?
Written By: Nick Parsons
1 Comment
Great message!