As I read all that Christ endured, for me, I’m brought to tears. I’m nearly brought to shame in the behavior of mankind, mostly because that behavior is still alive today. And I just love Jesus. I think about how much I am not like Him, and I want to be. I really do. But he was so wonderful. He set such a great example for our ordinary lives, by enduring His extreme trials.
Let’s check this out:
Matthew 27:12-14 12 But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent. 13 “Don’t you hear all these charges they are bringing against you?” Pilate demanded. 14 But Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governor’s surprise.
When I’m right, it takes all that I have not to acknowledge how right I am. When I’m wrong, I still want to explain my perspective. But here we have Jesus, God, refusing to gloat. He’s refusing to state His case, although He has every right to if He wants to.
How divine is that? To know there is no need to prove your innocence or divinity, because you are God. What an example.
He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.
Isaiah 53:7