Tag: silent
Messiah Suffered Silently
Scripture reading for July 15: Isaiah 53:7-8 “He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth. By oppression and judgment He was taken away; and as for His generation, who considered that He was cut out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of My people?”
Romans 5:8-9 “. . but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God.”
Isaiah goes on describing prophetically the Messiah Who would come to save Israel, His people. This Messiah would come as an ordinary man, having no form or majesty that people would recognize. He would suffer oppression and be afflicted with suffering. Isaiah described Him to the people as a “Lamb that is led to slaughter” or “a sheep silent before the shearers.” The implication is innocence and willingness to be slaughtered or sheared! Jesus did not protest His innocence or promote the cause He was willing to die for. He humbly obeyed His Father’s plan.
It was justice that would take His life from the human point of view. The religious folks were plotting His death and setting up false accusations. They demanded a guilty verdict from Pilate and a criminal be set free. But it was to satisfy the justice of God that motivated the Messiah to suffer silently. God’s heart of mercy was demonstrated through the willing sacrifice of His only Son for sinners and rebels who pridefully oppressed Jesus and demanded that He be crucified. Isaiah again posed a question: “as for His generation, who considered that He was cut out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of My people?” The answer was most did not because they failed to believe God’s prophetic Word and receive revelation of the saving mercy planned through His Messiah.
Prayer: Father God, I am amazed that You would love us so much as to willingly and silently take the penalty for our sins in Your own Son’s body. Forgive me for remaining silent about this Good News. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and heart of mercy for the lost that I might proclaim Jesus as Lord. Amen.
Son of David!
Scripture reading for January 28: Matthew 20
“And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed Him. And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” They said to Him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they received their sight.” Matthew 20:29-34
The world often looks down on those who are needy or handicapped. Those that have to beg for help or for a living are thought to be distractions or a bother to the important people of life. Our culture often shapes our world view and it was no different in Jesus’ day in the nation of Israel. But God takes notice of all people. He is no respecter of persons but honors faith whenever it is present. He is not bothered by our cry for mercy.
These blind beggars evidently heard that Jesus Christ was passing by. They had heard about the miracles of healing and the buzz concerning the possibility that this was the expected Christ. In faith, they called out respectfully to Jesus for His mercy on their life of darkness. They shouted and in spite of the crowds demand that they quiet down, continued to loudly call out to the “Son of David” for help. Jesus stopped and took time to inquire of their request. As they asked for open eyes, Jesus opened them promptly! What a miracle to behold!
Are you unashamedly calling to Jesus for the help you need? Have your circumstances or those people around you caused you to be silent and cry no more? Call out again as Jesus is near and full of mercy!
Prayer: Father God, Thank You for Your amazing mercy and response to those in darkness, need and misery. Use me to be their voice when they are silent and be Your hand extended in healing. Amen.
The power of Faith in God
Scripture reading for January 16th: Mark 11, Psalm 11, Proverbs 11
Mark 11: 21-25 “And Peter remembered and said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that You cursed has withered.” And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
Jesus taught His disciples the power of prayer and the power of our mouth and tongue to bless or curse. He used His own cursing of the fig tree that had no fruit but only leaves to illustrate the power of faith and of our words. Like the disciples of old, we face many mountains and obstacles during our pilgrimage on earth. We often fail to ask God for help or to believe His Word and speak in faith to the mountains. Jesus used an illustration visible right there to these disciples in that Herod had literally moved a mountain over about 10 years with many slaves to build his palace. Jesus likely referred to this human feat and the Dead Sea glittering in the distance to impress a vital truth on the hearts of his disciples.
Proverbs11:11-12 “By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown. Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.”
Prayer: Father God, I choose again today to ask for Your forgiveness for my lack of faith and sometimes my failure to forgive others and belittling them. Fill me with grace and faith in Your Word that I may ask You for strength to remove and move mountains of difficulty, bitterness, and unforgiveness. May they all be cast into the sea of Your grace! May my mouth bring blessings to my family or help me remain silent!
Psalm 11:7 “For the Lord is righteous; He loves the righteous deeds; the upright shall behold His face!”
Silent before accusers!
Scripture reading for March 10th: Mark 14:53-72, Psalms 53:1-6, Proverbs 11:4
Jesus was betrayed in the Garden of Gethsemane by Judas with a kiss. The soldiers and religious leaders took Him off to bring Him before the high priest and elders of the Sanhedrin. They were looking for evidence against Jesus to put Him to death. It was not that they had evidence already, because all their attempts to catch Him had failed. Their law said that for offenses leading to the death penalty, two or three witnesses must testify and agree. They found false witnesses but their testimony did not agree! (Mark 14:55-59)
“Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.” (Mark 14:60-61) Jesus knew the high priest’s tactic was to get Him to incriminate Himself. He also knew the Scripture which told that Messiah would remain silent before His accusers. (Isaiah 53:7)
Peter later remembered this incident as well when he wrote, “When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.” (1st Peter 2:23) Peter used this to encourage those in the church who were suffering for their faith. He knew that God was their defender as He had vindicated Jesus by resurrection from the dead!
“Again the high priest asked Him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”” (Mark 14:61b-62) Jesus could not tell a lie. He answered truthfully and gave a powerful revelation of His authority and coming glory! This should have caused those who were questioning Him to stop and ponder this. They had seen and heard about His miracles. He had fed thousands, healed countless sick people, cast out demons, and even raised the dead. His teaching was like no other!
But this statement was the one that these religious leaders jumped on to condemn Him! They chose to reject the truth and believe a lie for their own murderous plan to succeed. (2nd Thessalonians 2:10-12) In doing so, God would work His plan to show mercy to all who would believe the truth!