Before you begin today’s reading, take a moment and prepare your heart before God in prayer. Ask him to speak to you through today’s scripture reading.
Read slowly through Luke 22:66-23:49.
In the hours before Jesus’ crucifixion and death, He was mocked, spit on, and beaten. When He was gathered before the chief priests and scribes, they asked Him if He was the son of God, He responded, “You say that I am.” When Jesus appeared before Pilate, He was asked if He was the King of the Jews, and He responded, “You have said so.”
It is easy to read about the events leading up to Jesus’ death and wonder why He did not defend himself. After all, He was who they said He was. Why didn’t He just tell them the truth?
In Philippians 2.5-8, Paul wrote these words that may shed some light on the answer,
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus., who, though, he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. “
Jesus did not count equality with God as something even He could grasp. Jesus knew that the events preceding His death were unfolding according to the will of his Father.
Jesus emptied Himself taking on the form of a servant. His earthly ministry was full of examples of Him pouring himself out for others.
Jesus was humble. He did not need to defend himself or speak what He knew to be true. He knew that He was carrying out the will of God and no amount of self-defense would change what was to come (Isaiah 53).
Jesus was obedient. Jesus knew that He would pay the price for the will of God to be carried out. Jesus knew that His obedience would mean heartbreak for His mother. Jesus knew that His obedience would bring fear and pain for His disciples. In spite of all the suffering He knew He would endure, He still chose to die. In spite of all of the heartbreak, fear, and pain that He knew others would have to endure, He still chose obedience. It is because of His obedience that we can know the joy of salvation and look forward to the day when we are no longer separated from our Heavenly Father.
Questions for reflection:
- Think about the pain and suffering that came from Jesus’ obedience. Can you recall a time in your life when God ask for your obedience and the price was hefty?
- What is holding you back from being obedient to the will of God? Spend time in confession and ask the Lord to intervene.
- Are you currently suffering the consequences of disobedience? Spend time in confession and ask the Lord to guide your heart to a place of obedience.