Is it just me, or are there just way too many voices competing for our attention? We turn on the tv and we are bombarded with fear and tragedy and just overall bad news. We go to social media and find much of the same, but add on that everyone is screaming their opinion on the hot topics and absolutely convinced that their point of view is correct. What’s the balance? How do we address this? What’s the correct way of being bold? Better yet, how did Jesus handle all of this?
You may be thinking to yourself at this point, “Come on, Meg. Jesus didn’t deal with what we are dealing with now.” Oh friend, yes He did. Solomon tells us in Ecclesiastes, “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again, there is nothing new under the sun.” To paraphrase, what is happening now has happened before and will happen again.
Let’s look at Matthew chapter 26.
Vs 47,”While He (Jesus) was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, came. And with him was a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he who betrayed Him had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I shall kiss is the man. Seize him.” He immediately came to Jesus and said, “Hail Rabbi!” And kissed Him. And Jesus said to him, “Friend why have you come?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him. Immediately, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.”
Vs 59 “The chief priests and the elders and the entire Sanhedrin searched for a false witness against Jesus to put Him to death, but they found none. Yes, though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. At last, two false witnesses came forward and said, ‘this fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.” Then the high priest stood up and said to Him (Jesus), ‘Do you answer nothing? What is it these men testify against you?’ but Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, ‘I adjure you by the living God, tell us whether you are the Christ, the son of god.’ Jesus said to him ‘You have said so. But I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven.’ Then the high priest tore his clothes saying, ‘He has uttered blasphemy. What further need do we have for witnesses? See, now you have heard His blasphemy. What do you think?’ they answered ‘He is guilty unto death.’
Sound familiar? Let me make a few parallels here for you. A giant angry crowd with weapons ready to attack an innocent man. A friend betraying a friend. Violence to the point someone is maimed. Men of great power, high up in positions of authority, riling up the crowd. The men of authority riling up that crowd purely for selfish reasons, fitting for their agenda and to protect their power. The fact that there are false witnesses, and when the time came to actually convict Jesus, they were grasping at straws to find anything! And when they finally found an ounce of truth, those men of power twisted it to fit their agenda and bring down an innocent man.
Wow. Do you see now that there truly is nothing new under the sun? All of this sounds remarkably familiar to me. The very same situations are plastered all over the news (especially right now) and the internet. So, coming back to our original question, how did Jesus handle it?
Let’s look at how Jesus handled the mob coming to take Him away. He greeted Judas as a friend! Jesus didn’t come out, fists raised ready to defend Himself. He simply pointed out the truth, and I’ll paraphrase here, “why have you come to take me away with weapons? I have sat with you daily. But all this will be done to fulfill my Father’s purpose.” How does the world measure up? People are literally screaming at each other. There was no violence on Jesus’s part. He was peaceful. He simply spoke the truth of the situation and refused to hurt anyone in the process. Even His betrayer. In other gospel accounts, He healed the man who’s ear was cut off. He loved them.
And again, with the false witnesses at trial, Jesus could have easily spoken up and defended Himself with the truth. But just as a sheep is led to the slaughter, He remained silent until Caiaphas asked Him the one question that Jesus, in His perfect timing, knew it was time to answer. “Are you the Christ?” He had to claim His title. And He didn’t get to claim that title for worldly glory, but to the glory of His Father, so that He would be put to death and save all of mankind. Talk about humility. That’s all Caiaphas (the high priest) needed to rile up the crowd again and incite hysteria. Jesus didn’t sling harsh words at His accusers. He loved them. He knew His time had come to save them.
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying Jesus was a pushover. At this time in Matthew, He knew that He had to fulfill His mission that the Father gave Him. Up to this point in scripture, Jesus called out the Pharisees for their lack of compassion and for twisting the Word of God. Jesus absolutely knew the difference between being bold for the truth, and what was worth ignoring. Do we? Do we seek God’s wisdom on when it’s time to speak up, and when it’s time to be silent? Do we know what’s worth ignoring, and what’s worth fighting for?
I see Christians pointing out silly quibbles online. Does that glorify God? I see political posts made in the name of Jesus. Last time I checked, Jesus didn’t back any politicians. He simply LOVED people. He didn’t take sides. He loved ALL. So, I think a question we can ask ourselves before we make a post or comment is this, “Does this bring glory to God? Is this the truth, or am I trying to just sway someone’s opinion in the way I think it should go?” Dare I say, the old “What would Jesus do?” mentality should kick in. Guys, it’s time to just proclaim JESUS and let everything else fall to the wayside. By all means, if something blatantly defies scripture, be bold and speak out, but don’t tread on people in the process. LOVE THEM. Love people. That is what Jesus did. I think His heart is bleeding at the lack of love we have for each other. Seek wisdom. Seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance. And may I say, get offline. Follow who you’ll follow. Be a light for Jesus, but then do yourself a favor and just stop the scrolling. There are evil men and women still trying to rile up the crowd for their agenda. Don’t let them succeed. Line your thoughts up with the truth of the Word of God and learn to discern what is worth speaking up on and what is not. Let’s learn from the ultimate example, Jesus.
– Meg
