Matthew
26:4–5 (CSB)
They conspired to arrest Jesus in a treacherous way and
kill him. “Not during the festival,” they said, “so there won’t be rioting
among the people.”
We serve a savior that understands injustice. Jesus
recognized that he was about to be crucified by the religious and civil
authorities of his day. This was tyranny of the worst sorts.
The plot. The goal of the plot was to kill Jesus.
Think about that for a moment. The religious leaders were so filled with hatred
and contempt for Jesus that they wanted to have him killed. What was his crime?
Teaching about God’s kingdom. What was the real source of their hatred? Jesus
spoke truth to power.
The setting. Those religious leaders sought to deal
with the problem without raising the ire of the general public. They understood
that Jesus had massive public appeal and did not want problems from those
sympathetic. In some ways they were more bothered by what the public might
think rather than this unholy plan they were developing to kill an innocent
man. To accomplish their deed while raising the least resistance they
determined eventually to arrest and try Jesus in the middle of the night with
false witnesses.
The crisis. All good stories have a moment in which
there is a crisis for the main character. Some might suggest the trial was that
crisis for Jesus. Some might point to Judas’ betrayal as the crisis. In this
case I believe the crisis was when Jesus (Matthew 26:39)
Going a little farther, he fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is
possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Jesus
in his humanity wanted to be rescued from the injustice that was about to
befall him. Later and through out the whole ordeal Jesus submitted himself to
great indignities, sorrows, and tortures. And yet Isaiah 53:7
“He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb led
to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers, he did not open
his mouth.” Jesus could submit to this unjust treatment because he had first
submitted himself to His Heavenly Father.
The climax. In the Christ’s story there is a double
climax. The Cross represents the finished work of redemption of those that
trust in Jesus Christ . Even Jesus said “It is finished (John 19:30).”
The second major event is the resurrection. This demonstrated that Jesus holds
the victory over death. While the plot to kill Jesus was intended to silence
Jesus and his followers, His death and resurrection ensured that they would not
be silenced.
So what can we take from this? First, we serve a savior that
knows suffering under injustice. Second, when there is plotting there will be
those that modify what they do based on what others might think. These moments
will expose rank hypocrisy. Third, while the natural urge might be to fight
against or escape these injustices, we must first submit ourselves to God’s
will and be resigned to submit ourselves to the consequences that will follow
as God works through our circumstances. Finally, stand upon the Rock of Christ
(Matthew
7:24). His death and resurrection give our faith a firm foundation. This
secure stance will help us to face all trials that come our way as we put our
hope in Jesus.
These are tough times. However, (1 John 4:4)
“You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the
one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
God Bless You
~BJ
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