Read: John 18:1-19:42
Have you ever been falsely accused or held accountable for an offense that you did not commit? Have people who you supported in the past turned a blind eye to your struggles when you sought their help? Additionally, have you ever felt compelled to exercise restraint and humility in the face of aggressive, life-imperiling attacks? These are not easy conundrums to tolerate.
Yet, this is exactly the place where we find Christ in these passages. Christ is apprehended and is facing crucifixion. Understand that Christ, who had all power in his hands, could have easily dismissed his accusers. Christ could have abased his dignity and responded in a manner that was less than gracious. But Christ understood the assignment. Christ understood his assignment and the bigger picture related to his sacrifice. Just as Christ understood that the cross would be a part of his destiny, he also knew that victory would be his and that he resurrection was a part of the story.
This is a comforting narrative…one that reminds us that in life, we will experience betrayal. We will be falsely accused. Friends will turn their backs on us, similar to how Peter denied Christ. But be of good cheer, because just as Christ was resurrected, our hopes…our dreams…our plans…our reputations can be restored. God has resurrection, restorative, and redemptive power in his hands, and when we are walking in his will, the victory is ours, as well. Amen!
Corey Beauford
Have you ever been falsely accused or held accountable for an offense that you did not commit? Have people who you supported in the past turned a blind eye to your struggles when you sought their help? Additionally, have you ever felt compelled to exercise restraint and humility in the face of aggressive, life-imperiling attacks? These are not easy conundrums to tolerate.
Yet, this is exactly the place where we find Christ in these passages. Christ is apprehended and is facing crucifixion. Understand that Christ, who had all power in his hands, could have easily dismissed his accusers. Christ could have abased his dignity and responded in a manner that was less than gracious. But Christ understood the assignment. Christ understood his assignment and the bigger picture related to his sacrifice. Just as Christ understood that the cross would be a part of his destiny, he also knew that victory would be his and that he resurrection was a part of the story.
This is a comforting narrative…one that reminds us that in life, we will experience betrayal. We will be falsely accused. Friends will turn their backs on us, similar to how Peter denied Christ. But be of good cheer, because just as Christ was resurrected, our hopes…our dreams…our plans…our reputations can be restored. God has resurrection, restorative, and redemptive power in his hands, and when we are walking in his will, the victory is ours, as well. Amen!
Corey Beauford