Today, part of my team and I went to an English speaking church called “English Fellowship Church”
They are currently in the middle of the gospel of Mark series. Today was titled “Follow the Son” and covered Mark 15:1-20.
This is the passage where Jesus was delivered to Pilate and mocked by the people and was sent to be crucified.
This passage is one of the main ones where instead of speaking out and defending himself, like most of us humans would do, Jesus kept quiet. He was accused of doing wrong when he was innocent and was mocked when he had done no such thing deserving such cruelty.
With this passage we learn three very important things from Jesus’ silence.
1- Jesus’ silence speaks of his complete trust in God.
1 Peter 2:21-23 says, “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.”
2- Jesus’ silence speaks of his choice for joy.
He chose the joy of serving his father over the comfort of living and not being tortured and mocked. He chose to walk the path God had planned for him with full trust.
Hebrew 12:2 says, “ fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3- Jesus’ silence speaks that he is driven by love.
He is driven first by the love of his father (obeying him out of love). And then is driven secondly by his love for us. He knew he needed to die to save us.
Mark 10:45 says, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
God is for us, not against us. We are called to intrust in him completely and give our lives for him.
This is one thing I have been struggling with lately. With the late and sleepless nights, and the long talks to myself, I have been struggling with giving my complete trust in God. Todays sermon was exactly what I needed, even though I felt a little called out, It was defiantly a lesson I needed put in front of me.
To end, here is a verse to give just a little encouragement about how great God is!
Deuteronomy 7:9,”Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.”
