No Defense

                Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none. For many bore false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree.

                                                             (Mark 14:55-56 ESV)                                                        

We often consider the torture and death on the Cross as the passion of Jesus. He did suffer in many ways. He suffered physical pain with the brutal treatment even before he went to the cross. He suffered greatly when he our sins were put on him and God his Father had to turn away from him. That had to be the most excruciating thing Jesus went through when our sin was placed on him and God the Father had to turn his face away from him because of our sin.

Another way Jesus suffered was before all this took place. He had people come and bear false testimony against him and he did not say a word to defend himself. This is yet another picture of Jesus living the perfect life that we could never live. When we are falsely accused of something we instinctively will do all that we can to defend ourselves. Yet Jesus was so humble and meek, he did not need to defend himself.

To the amazement of the Jewish leaders and later Pilate when he goes before him Jesus never utters a word in defense of the false accusations against us. We should not be surprised when we are accused falsely, for Jesus told us that we are no better than our master; if Jesus was falsely accused we will be as well.

Remember this side of Jesus and how he reacted when he was falsely accused. We should learn from his example and do the same. We often will defend ourselves because we care what other people think of us.  We need to come to the realization that God knows the truth and that is all that really matters. How will you let this example of Jesus change the way you handle false accusations against yourself?