Have you ever been condemned for telling the truth? Doesn’t it gall you that you are in the right, but others only put you in the wrong?
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet he did not sin.” Hebrews 4:15
In Mark 14:62, we see Jesus telling the truth. He admitted who He is. The problem? No one believed Him.
He was honest. He also understood that no sinful human would understand His actions, that day, or today.
Recall Jesus was not really fighting against His human captors. The human voices shouted Satan’s accusations. They would hurl insults and heap mental and physical injury upon an innocent Jesus.
Even today, centuries after the fact, it’s amazing, even miraculous, that Jesus didn’t defend Himself.
He knew He was in the right.
Even if no one else knew or understood.
Even when the people questioned His authority and authenticity.
He also knew after Satan had done his absolute worst to beat down Jesus in every way, the fulfillment of the most important miracle to mankind would materialize. The barrier between God and humanity would be burned; our Jesus bridge built.
And Jesus Himself saved, raised from the dead, walked out of that tomb, and reunited with His father.
Sometimes, doing the right “God-ordained” action might cause others to see us as weak or simple. I do not pen that lightly, knowing the agony and pain sometimes perpetuated by such choices. Jesus Himself sees our choices and the consequences here on earth. He also knows the heavenly gift of God’s presence we will one day enjoy.
I want to follow Jesus’ example. I want to joyfully greet God one day in heaven, knowing I was willing to do whatever He requested.
Prayer: Oh Lord, on this Good Friday, as we recall Your intense, personal sacrifice, we humbly Thank You. We thank You for constructing a concrete way to reach our heavenly Father. We thank You for showing us how to live this life on earth and how to learn to fix our gaze on God. Please help us to recall it, to live it, and to treasure it. In Your Son’s precious name, Amen.