Jesus stands in wise silence before the mocking of his accusers – with a righteousness that stunningly becomes ours because of his death and resurrection.

Luke 23:6 – 12

⁶ On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. ⁷ When he learned that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

⁸ When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform a sign of some sort. ⁹ He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. ¹⁰ The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. ¹¹ Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate. ¹² That day Herod and Pilate became friends – before this they had been enemies.

It’s just a circus. 

Jesus is surrounded by evil and folly on every side… from corrupt Jewish leaders accusing him of trumped-up charges, to Pilate who knows Jesus is innocent and tries to dissuade the crowds but ultimately lacks the courage and integrity to do what he knows to be right, to Herod who’s just after some entertainment and is disinterested in matters of truth or justice at all. 

In the middle of it all, Jesus. Beautiful Jesus. The Lion of heaven, willingly meek before his human accusers. The Lamb, about to be slain.  

Beautiful Jesus, in all his wisdom. He knew when to speak – and oh, what words he had spoken up to now!… words of life, words of hope, words of judgment, words of compassion. Words of truth. But he also knew when to be silent. And he wasted none of his precious words before Herod. 

He didn’t reach for clever answers (although he could have – he had silenced many questioners in their folly and manipulation up to this point with his incisive wisdom).  

He didn’t try to justify himself (even though he was the only truly innocent and righteous human being to have ever lived). 

He just stood there.  

He was so full of humility and faith in his Father that he just endured it. He humbled himself even to mockery by villains and fools. Even to death on a cross. 

The Light of heaven, the Word made flesh, the Sun of Righteousness… the Way, the Truth, the Life. Treated like this by his own creation. It was so UNFAIR. Awful. 

And he just stood there. 

With our sin upon his shoulders. Willing to be mocked and disfigured… to suffer contempt, torture, and death. In my place, and yours.  

He did it to save you, to redeem you, to breathe life into your lungs, to give you a new, living, beating heart. To forgive you. He did it because he loves you. And now there is no condemnation for you. Because Jesus stood in our place, we are united to him… and even when accusations fly at us from every side (whether true or false), we can stand firm without fear or self-justification, because we are justified in Jesus. We can seek him, walk as his disciples, and take up our own cross with joy – even despite sin and weakness – because if God is for us, no one can stand against us. 

Head: Try memorising Romans 8:33-34 today (or any other verse that you find helpful to remind your heart of the truth of what Christ has done for you).

Heart: What accusations (from yourself, others, or Satan) destabilise you the most? Why is that?

Hands: What habit/s might help you remember the truth about your security and significance in Jesus, so you can grow more steadfast against such attacks? (Prayer? Scripture memory? Journaling? Sharing regularly with a friend? Something else?)

Prayer: 

Heavenly Father, it’s still hard to believe what Jesus went through to save us. Thank you for your grace in sending your Son for us. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for willingly enduring such evil for my sake. I am so grateful that in you, and by your righteous death and resurrection life, I am justified. Holy Spirit, would you direct my eyes to Jesus and help me to stand firm in suffering and against every accusation? For your glory. Amen. 

A song to listen to: Before the Throne of God Above, Sovereign Grace and Kristyn Getty 

Bloss Wilson 

Living Church – Springfield