Submission as Strength

And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, "Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?" But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked Him, "Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?" And Jesus said, "I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven." And the high priest tore his garments and said, "What further witnesses do we need? You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?" And they all condemned Him as deserving death. Mark 14: 60-64

There Christ stood, as man, offering no defense of His own. "But he remained silent and made no answer."

Isaiah 53:7 prophesies, "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth."

True man took the scoffings, the mockings, and the beatings, "yet he opened not his mouth."

Jesus knew that God, the Father, was about to speak to all of mankind with the greatest display of love, the sacrifice of His own Son. In Jesus's silence, God spoke through Him. Jesus did not assert His own will, the will of a man, in these final, long-suffering hours. He submitted to the will of His Father. And in this perfect submission, Christ had the strength to endure the sins of the world.

Submission as strength. What a beautiful picture and reminder for us all.

Lord, Quiet our minds, so Your wisdom can be heard.

Help us to be still and know that You are God, the Author and Perfector of our faith.

Dear God, Silent our earthly defenses, so Christ, our only sure defense, shines victoriously.

Heavenly Father, hold us in Your everlasting arms as we reflect on our Savior being nailed to the cross for our wretched sins.

Lord, strenthen our hope in Jesus "seated at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven." AMEN.