In his novel, “The Trial,” Franz Kafka tells of a man who is accused, tried, and sentenced to death while never knowing what he is accused of, what was said at his trial and why he was condemned to die. In our American culture, this is unthinkable. We have laws protecting us and those who are accusing us are to do so in the court of law. If we can’t afford a lawyer, one is appointed to defend us. We have a jury of peers who sort through the evidence presented and determine whether or not we are guilty – all this before we are sentenced according to our guilt.
Matthew tells us that Jesus was arrested and taken before Caiaphas, the high priest. “The high priest and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death.” Matthew 26:59 Finally a couple of people brought false testimony against Jesus. “Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, ‘Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you? But Jesus remained silent.” Matthew 26:62-63
I wonder why or how Jesus could keep silent. When I’m falsely accused, I want to set the record straight. I want people to understand the truth about me. I might even bring other people into it to defend my integrity. This is a time when I do not want to be silent.
So I wonder again, why did Jesus keep silent and how could He keep silent under those circumstances. Jesus was taken before the governor where the chief priests and elders brought their accusations, and again He gave no answer. “Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge – to the great amazement of the governor.” Matthew 27:13-14 The governor had the authority to set Jesus free. Yet, Jesus did not defend himself.
Jesus was sentenced to torture and death without defense. His friends betrayed Him and abandoned Him. Yet He resolutely stuck to the plan. The author of Hebrews tells us, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
I believe Jesus was silent for at least two reasons: He already knew what the outcome would be and the importance – for the salvation of all humankind. He did not need to defend Himself – He knew who He was. “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and that He had come from God and was returning to God; so He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him.” John 13:3-5 He took on the role of a servant even though all power and authority belonged to Him.
Secondly, He knew that if these people were blind and ignorant enough to put God on trial for ‘pretending’ to be God, no argument would be heard no matter how carefully spoken it would be. If people are not open to hearing the truth and have decided what ‘their truth’ is, they simply won’t be able to hear or accept the real truth. It might be a bit like “throwing your pearls before the pigs.” Matthew 7:6
So what do I learn from this silence? First, I don’t always need to defend myself – in fact sometimes, it is better to remain silent. I know who I am – a child of the Living God – and I can trust my Father to take care of me and, if necessary, to set the record straight. In the end, the truth will prevail. Misrepresenting the truth does not change the truth. How I behave and treat others does not need to depend on how I have been treated. I can choose a loving response: “Father, forgive them because they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34
Secondly, I am called to serve – even those who may betray me or accuse me or abandon me. In becoming a servant, like Christ, I am making a way for reconciliation. That seems to me to be where God’s heart is at – helping us to reconcile with others and live at peace and in unity, so the world will know that we are His disciples (John 17). May God give me the strength and wisdom to live out these words.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Decision Points
In my Bible, Matthew 14:13-21 carries the title, “Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand.” Naturally, when I read that section, I focus on the miracle of the loaves and fishes – feeding a crowd of thousands with just five loaves and two fishes.
But today, I wonder if some of the ‘real’ story is in the first two verse. The previous 12 verses tell of the beheading of John the Baptist. “When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.” Matthew 14:13 I wonder if Jesus was feeling tremendous grief at the loss of a great man, a great friend, “A voice of one calling: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’” Isaiah 40:3 I wonder if Jesus was considering what men had done and whether or not the human race was worth redeeming. How deep His suffering and grief at that moment!
“Hearing this, the crowds followed Him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” Matthew 14:14 I wonder if the Father brought the crowds to Jesus to remind Him that He loved them and as He showed the compassion that so naturally flowed from Him, He began to make up His mind that, yes, He would go through with His purposes here on earth. Yes, He loved them enough to die for them – even those that killed one so dear to Him.
Moments like these in Scriptures remind me that Jesus could have turned away at any time and returned to heaven without any of the betrayal, torture, or the cross. He could have given us all what we deserve and ended the human race at any time. Yet, because of His great love and compassion, He healed the sick, provided nourishment, and met the needs of the crowds who followed Him.
He is still the same God – full of compassion and mercy. He loves us in spite of all the wrong we have done and encourages us when we do well. He cheers us on in this life as we learn to be more and more like Him, as we prepare for eternity with Him.
How awesome is our God! There is nothing that can compare to His great love for us.
But today, I wonder if some of the ‘real’ story is in the first two verse. The previous 12 verses tell of the beheading of John the Baptist. “When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.” Matthew 14:13 I wonder if Jesus was feeling tremendous grief at the loss of a great man, a great friend, “A voice of one calling: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’” Isaiah 40:3 I wonder if Jesus was considering what men had done and whether or not the human race was worth redeeming. How deep His suffering and grief at that moment!
“Hearing this, the crowds followed Him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” Matthew 14:14 I wonder if the Father brought the crowds to Jesus to remind Him that He loved them and as He showed the compassion that so naturally flowed from Him, He began to make up His mind that, yes, He would go through with His purposes here on earth. Yes, He loved them enough to die for them – even those that killed one so dear to Him.
Moments like these in Scriptures remind me that Jesus could have turned away at any time and returned to heaven without any of the betrayal, torture, or the cross. He could have given us all what we deserve and ended the human race at any time. Yet, because of His great love and compassion, He healed the sick, provided nourishment, and met the needs of the crowds who followed Him.
He is still the same God – full of compassion and mercy. He loves us in spite of all the wrong we have done and encourages us when we do well. He cheers us on in this life as we learn to be more and more like Him, as we prepare for eternity with Him.
How awesome is our God! There is nothing that can compare to His great love for us.
Monday, March 11, 2013
The Gift of Forgiveness
In the world’s economy, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth is considered reasonable. There is even allowance for compensation beyond the harm done for ‘emotional damage’. Our natural tendency when someone hurts us is to say, “I’ll show you what it feels like – and more!”
As I consider what I have seen others experience and have experienced myself, I notice that ‘getting back at’ and ‘showing others’ never seems to be enough. When we take justice into our own hands, the problem is never really fixed. It simmers below the surface and watches for opportunities to boil from time to time. Sometimes it boils out of the pot into a full rage. Sometimes it just causes a few burns here and there. But it continues to bring pain and suffering. As the rage grows into bitterness, all of the person’s life is affected by the bitterness and joy cannot be found. Jealousy is often added to the rage if the person we are angry with seems to be doing well. Jealousy and bitterness usually move to the next level of hating the other and seeing them as the enemy. And enemies must be killed – gotten out of the way. Only killing the enemy will bring true justice from this perspective.
God knows all about that weakness in the human race. Throughout history, He has tried to steer us away from it. God spoke with Cain before he chose to kill Abel. He tried to help Cain see that what he was thinking was not going to get him where he needed to go. After Cain killed Abel, he lived in fear. His problem wasn’t fixed. (Genesis 4) Then God gave the Ten Commandments through His servant Moses. These included: don’t murder, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t give false testimony, don’t covet. (Exodus 20) God knew that all of these things would lead to rage, hatred, and killing. God provided a way for people to seek forgiveness and to forgive through sacrifices and through laws.
When Jesus came, He taught us that loving God and loving our neighbor as ourselves were the most important of all commands given to us because everything else takes its place when these two are in order (Matthew 22:37-40). He taught us that even thinking hateful thoughts about others was the same as murder because He knew that if we allowed ourselves to follow those thoughts, it would end in death.
In spite of all of those teachings, many of us (even in the church) continue to harbor unforgiveness and jealousy. It usually isn’t full blown and public, but it simmers under the surface causing unrest and brokenness, pain and difficult relationships. Sometimes, people who have been ‘murdered’ by hatred or have seen others ‘murdered’ leave the church and say that God must not be real because ‘His children’ behave just as badly as those who do not know Him – sometimes worse. Unresolved bitterness leads to an often toxic environment – a cancer that eats away at relationships and disables important ministry.
God loves us all too much to leave us in this desperate place of bitterness. He gives us a way out. He says, “If you forgive others of their sins, your sins will also be forgiven.” Matthew 6:14. He says, “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he still refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” Matthew 18:15-17
It may be difficult, but the only way to full healing is for all parties involved to talk with each other and seek God’s wisdom through His Word and through the prayers and wisdom of other believers. Jesus’ prayer in John 17 shows us that unity with each other is the key to demonstrating to the world who God is and how much He loves each of us. When we work through difficult disagreements and come to a place of healing, we show the world God’s redemptive love at work and make it possible for them to believe there is a God and He loves and teaches His followers to love as well.
I have been pondering what it is about forgiveness that Jesus said from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34. Why did He need to forgive when He had every right to be angry and even call down curses on them? Why did He choose to forgive those who were mocking Him and driving nails into his hands and feet? Why did He choose to forgive even His closest friends who betrayed Him and left Him when He needed friends most?
To forgive someone is to give up my right to be right, to be in control, and to have justice served in my favor. It is a merciful act toward the offender, but much more than that, it is a freeing act for the one who has been offended. It makes us free to love others no matter how they treat us and behave toward us. It frees us to fix our eyes on heaven and to worship our God. It frees us from the stress and strain of ‘remembering all the wrongs done to us’ and allows us to experience joy and peace. It brings healing to us physically, spiritually, and emotionally. It brings us a step closer to Christ as we identify with Him. We understand even more what He did for us on the cross and experience a greater portion of His mercy He extends to us. And He often shows us more of the big picture – that even our enemies are made in His image and He loves them too. His love extends to everyone. And His love in me must be extended to everyone as well.
Lord, teach me to love others so much that I am able to forgive - even if the offender is unwilling to talk about it or is unable to see the pain they have inflicted. Keep my heart and my mind close to You and teach me to live in peace, knowing that You have forgiven me much and I must also forgive others. Show me where I have offended others and make me quick to seek reconciliation and forgiveness, offering others the freedom and peace that comes from forgiving as well. Thank you for the example you have put before us through your journey to the cross and beyond. Open my eyes to see the depth of your love for me and for others. In the precious and holy name of Jesus, Amen.
As I consider what I have seen others experience and have experienced myself, I notice that ‘getting back at’ and ‘showing others’ never seems to be enough. When we take justice into our own hands, the problem is never really fixed. It simmers below the surface and watches for opportunities to boil from time to time. Sometimes it boils out of the pot into a full rage. Sometimes it just causes a few burns here and there. But it continues to bring pain and suffering. As the rage grows into bitterness, all of the person’s life is affected by the bitterness and joy cannot be found. Jealousy is often added to the rage if the person we are angry with seems to be doing well. Jealousy and bitterness usually move to the next level of hating the other and seeing them as the enemy. And enemies must be killed – gotten out of the way. Only killing the enemy will bring true justice from this perspective.
God knows all about that weakness in the human race. Throughout history, He has tried to steer us away from it. God spoke with Cain before he chose to kill Abel. He tried to help Cain see that what he was thinking was not going to get him where he needed to go. After Cain killed Abel, he lived in fear. His problem wasn’t fixed. (Genesis 4) Then God gave the Ten Commandments through His servant Moses. These included: don’t murder, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t give false testimony, don’t covet. (Exodus 20) God knew that all of these things would lead to rage, hatred, and killing. God provided a way for people to seek forgiveness and to forgive through sacrifices and through laws.
When Jesus came, He taught us that loving God and loving our neighbor as ourselves were the most important of all commands given to us because everything else takes its place when these two are in order (Matthew 22:37-40). He taught us that even thinking hateful thoughts about others was the same as murder because He knew that if we allowed ourselves to follow those thoughts, it would end in death.
In spite of all of those teachings, many of us (even in the church) continue to harbor unforgiveness and jealousy. It usually isn’t full blown and public, but it simmers under the surface causing unrest and brokenness, pain and difficult relationships. Sometimes, people who have been ‘murdered’ by hatred or have seen others ‘murdered’ leave the church and say that God must not be real because ‘His children’ behave just as badly as those who do not know Him – sometimes worse. Unresolved bitterness leads to an often toxic environment – a cancer that eats away at relationships and disables important ministry.
God loves us all too much to leave us in this desperate place of bitterness. He gives us a way out. He says, “If you forgive others of their sins, your sins will also be forgiven.” Matthew 6:14. He says, “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he still refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” Matthew 18:15-17
It may be difficult, but the only way to full healing is for all parties involved to talk with each other and seek God’s wisdom through His Word and through the prayers and wisdom of other believers. Jesus’ prayer in John 17 shows us that unity with each other is the key to demonstrating to the world who God is and how much He loves each of us. When we work through difficult disagreements and come to a place of healing, we show the world God’s redemptive love at work and make it possible for them to believe there is a God and He loves and teaches His followers to love as well.
I have been pondering what it is about forgiveness that Jesus said from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34. Why did He need to forgive when He had every right to be angry and even call down curses on them? Why did He choose to forgive those who were mocking Him and driving nails into his hands and feet? Why did He choose to forgive even His closest friends who betrayed Him and left Him when He needed friends most?
To forgive someone is to give up my right to be right, to be in control, and to have justice served in my favor. It is a merciful act toward the offender, but much more than that, it is a freeing act for the one who has been offended. It makes us free to love others no matter how they treat us and behave toward us. It frees us to fix our eyes on heaven and to worship our God. It frees us from the stress and strain of ‘remembering all the wrongs done to us’ and allows us to experience joy and peace. It brings healing to us physically, spiritually, and emotionally. It brings us a step closer to Christ as we identify with Him. We understand even more what He did for us on the cross and experience a greater portion of His mercy He extends to us. And He often shows us more of the big picture – that even our enemies are made in His image and He loves them too. His love extends to everyone. And His love in me must be extended to everyone as well.
Lord, teach me to love others so much that I am able to forgive - even if the offender is unwilling to talk about it or is unable to see the pain they have inflicted. Keep my heart and my mind close to You and teach me to live in peace, knowing that You have forgiven me much and I must also forgive others. Show me where I have offended others and make me quick to seek reconciliation and forgiveness, offering others the freedom and peace that comes from forgiving as well. Thank you for the example you have put before us through your journey to the cross and beyond. Open my eyes to see the depth of your love for me and for others. In the precious and holy name of Jesus, Amen.
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