Lenten Devotion – Jesus our Vindicator
Day 38, 28 March 2024
“For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” 2 Cor 5:21
As we read Luke 23:1-25, we see how Pilate and Herod both try their best to avoid making the decision to crucify Jesus.
Deep in their hearts, they seem to know that Jesus is innocent. In the beginning, the people brought Jesus to Pilate with 3 charges, seen in v2:
- he was leading the nation astray
- he opposes payment of taxes to Caesar
- he claims to be Messiah the king
When Pilate asked Jesus if he is the king of the Jews, Jesus had answered, “You have said so.” This is the only time we read about Jesus speaking in today’s reading. He was silent throughout the push and shove from Pilate and Herod.
When he was brought to Herod, Herod was only interested in being entertained, as seen in v8-9. And when Jesus did not answer him, he returned Jesus to Pilate.
Yet the people were not satisfied and would rather have Barabbas, a man in prison for insurrection and murder, released.
Does this not paint a picture of Jesus, the lamb led to the slaughter, in your mind? Indeed, Jesus is innocent and yet he stood before the crowds, silent – never once protesting nor challenging the authorities.
In your life, have you ever experienced the pain of being accused wrongly or misunderstood? How did you react?
In my line of work, I have been accused and misunderstood but there was an incident that still remains vivid in me. A parent had come to threaten me over something I did not do and insisted I apologise or she would go the MOE. But I thank God for my principal who told the parent that she cannot make a teacher apologise for something she did not do. When the parent found out that I was a Christian. She turned to me and said, “Oh, I am surprised you are. Shame on you.”
Shortly after, we had to meet again and this time, her child was present. When she came to the part where she accused me of saying something, her son turned to her and said, “No, she did not say it.” The parent was stunned for a moment and then she fell silent. I forgot how the conversation went on but the presence of the Lord was so real that day in the room. Of course the parent did not apologise to me for her wrongful accusation. But God vindicated me from the wrongful accusation.
As I read today’s passage, I realized how cool our Jesus is. He stood there silent, calm and still loving the people who accused him.
May we learn to love Jesus the way He loves us. Before I end, I would like to share a song that is so meaningful to me – about Jesus’ nail-pierced hands. In the lyrics, there is this part that asked the Lord to help us to hold our peace even when we are insulted. Indeed, it is difficult but let us remember that Jesus remained calm in the midst of all the wrongful accusation.
Andreatte Loh🙏