Provoked by the Cross
Before Jesus met the nails, He faced the military.
Jesus' window to His crucifixion was as merciless as the hammer.
Mocking humiliation and physical assault scoured His path to Golgotha.
'The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. And they began to call out to him, "Hail, king of the Jews!" Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.' (Mark 15:16-20)
The Son of Man, the righteous King of the Jews chose silence as His only response.
Compliance in the face of evil spoke this good regent's only witness. The soldiers provoked Jesus, but He refused to return the favor.
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7)
As yesterday so too to today:
Heaven's grace was collectively unappreciated that darkest Friday.
Jesus recognised evil but did not resist it.
Evil invites more evil as response to it. To resist evil with evil is to simply multiply evil. No wonder Jesus' plea is to turn the other cheek'.
Jesus death was to defeat the works of the devil, not increase them.
Dressed as royalty in purple, yet derided as a pauper, pure goodness stood before these unthinking soldiers. Innocence now personified. Heaven clothed in humanity, completely unrealised.
The Cross still provokes those who would fall at Jesus' scarred feet to copy Him:
understand evil for it is not to be repeated. Choose good despite the terror.
I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. (Romans 16:19b)
The Cross screams:
it is better to seal the lips than draw the sword.
Today's Soul Snippet:
"The easiest way to dignity is humility." ~ anon
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"LISTENING to JESUS" ... 2016 Lay Ministry Convention - Book Here