Matthew 27:14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.

What is recorded in this verse is both remarkable and important. Self-defense is a very fundamental human characteristic and right, but Jesus deliberately did not use it, to Pilate’s amazement. Jesus didn’t commit suicide, but he was there to die, and He knew it better than anyone around Him. On another level, the charges against Him were so spurious and/or distorted as to not be fit to respond to. Every one of them was no more than a thinly disguised denial of God and His authority. We see and hear the same sort of thing around us all the time. The thing is, there is no real logic in such claims and denials, just feelings and emotions. William Faulkner very accurately called it “the sound and the fury.” When we encounter such opposition, to ourselves, to the Gospel, or to any element of God’s truth, we are to remember James’s words of wisdom: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) Resistance will most often be by speaking the truth in love, but sometimes it will be simply being silent, as Jesus was here. Like Jesus, we need to be totally assured of God’s power and eventual victory, whatever happens along the way. Often He will use us, so we need to keep His armor on, (Ephesians 6:13-17) but we must remember that the power, and the victory, are His, and not think it depends on us.

This is an area in which I am still growing. I still get defensive, and all too often I lash out. Yesterday was good training in that, as we had our annual church business meeting. The temptation to speak strongly was there, but the Lord enabled me to hold my tongue, and He did good things. Some of the meaningless chatter was irritating, but it passed, and will be forgotten. All of this shows me that I still have plenty of room to grow, but by God’s grace I am making progress, and I am grateful.

Father, thank You for yesterday and all it held. Thank You for Your plans for this church, and that You are leading us into them. Thank You likewise for Your plans for me, and that they too are good. This week is full of things I want to do or need to do or must do, and the weather forecast doesn’t look promising for some of it. Help me not be anxious about any of it, but flow with Your Spirit on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!