From: christlife+noreply@googlegroups.com
Date: Sat, 18 Sep 2010 20:03:26 +0000
Subject: [ChristLife] Digest for christlife@googlegroups.com - 1
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Today's Topic Summary
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- Why was Jesus silent? [1 Update]
http://groups.google.com/group/christlife/t/f4928b2b68ef9db9
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Topic: Why was Jesus silent?
Url: http://groups.google.com/group/christlife/t/f4928b2b68ef9db9
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From: Jacob <jninan@gmail.com>
Date: Sep 17 07:31PM -0700
Url: http://groups.google.com/group/christlife/msg/8d96734804f34f6e
When Jesus was accused, insulted and abused He said not a word, much
to the surprise and annoyance of His tormentors. The Bible challenges
us to learn from this to endure unjust and unfair treatment from the
others with patience (1Pe.2:20-23). This has great reward from God.
This world is very unfair many times, and we find ourselves in
situations where we simmer with inward rage at the unfairness of it
all. Then the Holy Spirit reminds us that One has gone before us who
suffered the greatest injustice of all times, and who refrained from
reacting, speaking or behaving in ways which would have appeared to be
justified on such occasions. This helps us to give up our rage and
commit ourselves to God who is bigger than the situation. Then we find
peace and rest in our mind and heart.
But we make a mistake if we think that this is the way we should
respond at all times. Are we to take things lying down? Are we to
allow others to ride over us as they wish without any defence? Are we
forbidden to take any measures to claim or regain what is taken away
from us? The mistake is in assuming that whatever Jesus did or spoke
is for us to do--irrespective of the context or situation.
Why did Jesus keep quiet? In a sense, because He had come down all the
way from heaven for that moment, to die. The Father's will was clear,
and the Father was asking Him to drink that cup which Jesus had asked
whether there was any way to avoid. This cup meant a total neglect,
reversal and obliteration of justice, and it was not for Jesus to
contest that through arguments, presenting evidence, calling for
witnesses or supporters, etc. He had to bear that injustice to the
point of death. So, of course, He kept quiet.
But our situations may not be like that always. Many times we suffer
because we are not bold enough to question somebody. Sometimes we give
up the battle before taking it up. Sometimes others type us as being
soft and take advantage over us. And then we comfort ourselves by
saying that we, like Jesus, are keeping quiet!
Was Jesus a soft person who allowed Himself to be bullied around? Far
from it. He was always in command, never afraid to disagree with
anyone or to stand against sin. He would only do what He really wanted
to do. He wouldn't cow down before anyone. He told Pilate to his face
(not with insolence or pride) that he would have no authority over Him
except what His Father gave (Jn.19:11).
We can't blindly apply one lesson we have learned from the Bible to
all situations. It depends on the situation and what God wants us to
do each time. We can't also take lessons from Jesus without trying to
understand why He did what He did at different times. A blind
application of "What would Jesus do?" can also be dangerous! As
someone said, there are times when we need courage to change the
situation, and at other times we need grace to accept things that
can't be changed. We need wisdom to know the difference. We need this
wisdom even in studying the Bible.
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