Our Lenten Devotion for Monday, March 7, comes to us from Steadfast Love by Henri J.M. Nouwen
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. Isaiah 53:7 NRSV
“On Trial”
“Jesus undergoes it all. The time of actin is past. He does not speak anymore; he does not protest; he does not reproach or admonish. He has become a victim. He no longer acts, but is acted upon. He has entered hi passion.” (Walk with Jesus, p.16)
It’s difficult for me to envision what all took place at Jesus’ trial. He is beaten, whipped, spit upon, lied to and about, and yet “he did not open his mouth.” Had it been me, I would have been kicking and screaming, “You have the wrong man! I want a lawyer!” Well, they did have the wrong man. It should have been me on trial that day. It should have been me being slapped, whipped, and beaten. It should have been me crucified on that hill Friday night. Instead, it was Jesus who looks down from the cross and, when he finally does open his mouth to speak, tells me he loves me. “Father, forgive him,” he says. And I believe him. Now it’s my turn to open my mouth and tell his story.
Friends,
It is humbling to think of how much Jesus endured to offer us the gift of salvation. The ridicule, abuse, betrayal, and mischaracterization all endured so that we might have the opportunity to embrace relationship with our Creator. Often times, when we are suffering from hardships, we feel are undeserved, we cry out to Heaven for an explanation and immediate remedy. Yet, our Savior, wholly innocent and oppressed unjustly, silently accepts the scorn leveled upon him. Jesus does so, recognizing there is something greater at stake than his comfort.
Jesus suffers silently as a witness to the depths God will go to redeem, restore, and revive our fractured souls. Jesus suffers silently, not because of guilt or shame, rather out of an abiding understanding of the grace that will be offered to us when we witness his sacrifice for us. As Nouwen aptly state: “It should have been me on trial that day. It should have been me being slapped, whipped, and beaten. It should have been me crucified on that hill Friday night.” Jesus suffers to pay the debt that we accrued, that we, in humble devotion, might live in reverent submission and in honor of his sacrifice. As we move further into this Lenten Season, take some time each day to prayerfully consider how you might live in reverence to the sacrifice Jesus offered for us.
--Pastor Anthony
Prayer:
Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise (Psalm 31;15). I give you endless thanks for your mercy that goes on forever. Amen.
--Henri J.M. Nouwen