Nothing Back

1 Pet. 2:23  He never did one thing wrong.  Not once said anything amiss.  They called Him every name in the book and He said nothing back.  He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right.  (MSG)

We are not perfect.  We all make mistakes.  We all say and do things we later regret.  And so when we suffer the consequences of our words and actions, we accept those consequences and understand that we deserved them.  But it is a completely different situation when we are treated poorly or wrongly accused when we don't deserve it.  To accept such treatment without retaliating or defending ourselves goes against our human nature.  Everything in us wants to rise up and lash out at those who would seek to hurt or destroy us.  And often times, we do just that.

Jesus was perfect.  In word and deed.  And so, it is absolutely mind-boggling that, standing before Pilate, He responded to mistreatment and accusations in such an unexpected way.  He said nothing back (Mt. 27;12, Mk. 15:3).  No one would have been more justified in responding with righteous anger than He.  And yet, demonstrating incredible restraint, He said nothing back.  Why?

First, Scripture tells us (1 Pet. 2:21) that Jesus suffered everything that came His way so that we would know it could be done, that it was indeed possible.  Verse 20 of The Message translation says, "But if you're treated badly for good behavior and continue in spite of it to be a good servant, that is what counts with God."  Yes, it can be done.  Jesus showed us how.  No, it isn't easy.  But it counts with God.  Secondly, it tells us that He suffered in silence being content to let God set things right.  That is to say, Jesus was content to let His Father be His Judge.

How then should we respond to being treated poorly and to being wrongfully accused and maligned?  What should we give in return?  Nothing back.


Sock Monkey Snippet:  Continue in spite of how you are being treated and let God be your Judge.