Word@Work Luke338 - Luke 22:63-65
Published: Tue, 04/19/11
Word@Work from BeaconLight
VIOLENCE WITHOUT REASON
Luke 22:63-65 The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him. They blindfolded him and demanded, "Prophesy! Who hit you?" And they said many other insulting things to him. (NIV)
Peter had just denied Jesus. Then after that personal insult from a friend, the guards turned on Him. Although He had not been sentenced, those trained to keep the peace abused the Prince of Peace. Mockery and insults poured out of their mouths, as they beat Him up. Blindfolding the one who could see every heart, the guards demanded that He should name His tormentors. Why? What possible reason could there be?
Luke 6:45 says, "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." Although they did not know the Saviour of the world, their hearts had an inbuilt resistance to His authority over them. It was not a thought-out plan to humiliate the most righteous man who ever lived; but His holiness made their hearts say, "We want none of that!"
It is the same root by which the church worldwide is being persecuted today. Jesus said, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me. ... But this is to fulfil what is written in their Law: 'They hated me without reason.'" (John 15:18-22, 25). Although the unreasonable and destructive behaviour of persecution is quite unreasonable, and wicked: if you are confessing Christ and bear His light, it should be expected (2 Timothy 3:12). When you suffer for the Name of Christ, although it is a wicked thing done to you, it is also an affirmation that you belong to Him. And, of course, He understands and is able to strengthen and comfort you (Hebrews 2:18). So do not give up on account of Him; because Jesus did not give up for your sake.
Prayer: Righteous Lord. I am shocked again by the senseless brutality which Jesus Christ suffered from sinful people. Yet I know that my heart also has the potential to do damage to the Lord Jesus and His kingdom if I resist His will or doubt His word, refusing to allow Him to have authority over me. Please forgive me when I fall to such temptations and strengthen me afresh to stand for Christ where I live and work. I also pray for those believers whose suffering is much more intense than mine. Please keep them true to Yourself and strong in faith trusting Your Word. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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Peter had just denied Jesus. Then after that personal insult from a friend, the guards turned on Him. Although He had not been sentenced, those trained to keep the peace abused the Prince of Peace. Mockery and insults poured out of their mouths, as they beat Him up. Blindfolding the one who could see every heart, the guards demanded that He should name His tormentors. Why? What possible reason could there be?
Luke 6:45 says, "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." Although they did not know the Saviour of the world, their hearts had an inbuilt resistance to His authority over them. It was not a thought-out plan to humiliate the most righteous man who ever lived; but His holiness made their hearts say, "We want none of that!"
It is the same root by which the church worldwide is being persecuted today. Jesus said, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me. ... But this is to fulfil what is written in their Law: 'They hated me without reason.'" (John 15:18-22, 25). Although the unreasonable and destructive behaviour of persecution is quite unreasonable, and wicked: if you are confessing Christ and bear His light, it should be expected (2 Timothy 3:12). When you suffer for the Name of Christ, although it is a wicked thing done to you, it is also an affirmation that you belong to Him. And, of course, He understands and is able to strengthen and comfort you (Hebrews 2:18). So do not give up on account of Him; because Jesus did not give up for your sake.
Prayer: Righteous Lord. I am shocked again by the senseless brutality which Jesus Christ suffered from sinful people. Yet I know that my heart also has the potential to do damage to the Lord Jesus and His kingdom if I resist His will or doubt His word, refusing to allow Him to have authority over me. Please forgive me when I fall to such temptations and strengthen me afresh to stand for Christ where I live and work. I also pray for those believers whose suffering is much more intense than mine. Please keep them true to Yourself and strong in faith trusting Your Word. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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