The Gospel of Luke
This devotional is written by Maddie Bowe. Singer/Songwriter who's recently released an EP called "Thoughts & Feelings" which you should go and stream now to save her career.. Seriously, she's resorted to tik tok and binge-watching Disney films.. SAVE HER.
Luke 22:66-71
Jesus Before Pilate and Herod
66 At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and the teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. 67 "If you are the Messiah," they said, "tell us."
Jesus answered, "If I tell you, you will not believe me, 68 and if I asked you, you would not answer. 69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God."
70 They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?"
He replied, "You say that I am."
71 Then they said, "Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips."
66 At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and the teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. 67 "If you are the Messiah," they said, "tell us."
Jesus answered, "If I tell you, you will not believe me, 68 and if I asked you, you would not answer. 69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God."
70 They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?"
He replied, "You say that I am."
71 Then they said, "Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips."
Reflection
Have you ever been falsely accused of something? Misunderstood to the point that you're treated as less than? Been the victim of someone else's ignorance? Abused verbally, or God forbid physically? I have. More times than I can count, and unfortunately in many contexts. What comes up in that moment or the next morning, or even years down the line is a deep sense of injustice.
Here, Jesus does the ultimate contradiction to the human instinct.. he doesn't defend himself! What kind of a hero is this guy? You're not gonna just floor them all in 5 seconds flat, give us a cheeky wink and save the world? Nope. This is our hero, a humble carpenter who rides donkeys and eats with tax collectors. Here He's practicing what He preaches, He's turning the other cheek. He doesn't rise to their games, He doesn't strive to prove who He is. In just a few sentences He holds a mirror to their ignorance and states truth, "from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the mighty God". He knows who He is and so it doesn't matter what someone else has to say. It doesn't change truth. He has no need to defend Himself, He is defended in knowing His identity and destiny.
In the context of our own lives, yes we need to seek help through honest conversations, counselling, and the law for example. But what we're talking about here is the framework that exists for all of that to be put into. Knowing that you don't have to prove anything to anyone means you can handle the presenting situation from a place of peace and freedom. You merely need to remind yourself of truth. So the next time someone starts chatting about you or treating you less than you deserve, just remember this image of Jesus: In chains, unfairly treated, but knowing who He is and where He's placed in eternity.
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank you that we have you to look to. Not as a distant, far off God. But as one who walked this earth and felt human pain. Reveal to me the truth about who I am in Christ. Help me to hold onto to the peace this provides and know that I am defended by you in the things that hurt me. I release my need to seek my own justice, and I surrender all to you who is justice. Amen.
Here, Jesus does the ultimate contradiction to the human instinct.. he doesn't defend himself! What kind of a hero is this guy? You're not gonna just floor them all in 5 seconds flat, give us a cheeky wink and save the world? Nope. This is our hero, a humble carpenter who rides donkeys and eats with tax collectors. Here He's practicing what He preaches, He's turning the other cheek. He doesn't rise to their games, He doesn't strive to prove who He is. In just a few sentences He holds a mirror to their ignorance and states truth, "from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the mighty God". He knows who He is and so it doesn't matter what someone else has to say. It doesn't change truth. He has no need to defend Himself, He is defended in knowing His identity and destiny.
In the context of our own lives, yes we need to seek help through honest conversations, counselling, and the law for example. But what we're talking about here is the framework that exists for all of that to be put into. Knowing that you don't have to prove anything to anyone means you can handle the presenting situation from a place of peace and freedom. You merely need to remind yourself of truth. So the next time someone starts chatting about you or treating you less than you deserve, just remember this image of Jesus: In chains, unfairly treated, but knowing who He is and where He's placed in eternity.
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank you that we have you to look to. Not as a distant, far off God. But as one who walked this earth and felt human pain. Reveal to me the truth about who I am in Christ. Help me to hold onto to the peace this provides and know that I am defended by you in the things that hurt me. I release my need to seek my own justice, and I surrender all to you who is justice. Amen.
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