Love Divine

Matthew 27:11–26

This passage is one that I have read several times, but just as a story. Some days ago, it took on greater meaning for me because God opened my eyes and heart to see beyond the “story”.
A couple of things stood out to me this time:
• Jesus remained silent throughout the trial (Matthew 27:13&14 NLT “Don’t you hear all these charges they are bringing against you?” Pilate demanded. But Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governor’s surprise).
When I read these two verses I thought, “incredible!”. The thought that Jesus Christ remained silent through all his suffering for our greater good; That is, our salvation and freedom in God through Him blows my mind, honestly.

Christ went through all that mocking and remained silent just to die for my sins, and yours too. Thank you Jesus!

Pilate knew Jesus was innocent. There is no doubt that the crowds, priests and elders knew of His innocence yet they chose to crucify him. The greater and better news is that despite all of that, He chose to love and forgive them(us) by dying on the cross!

• Through the silence, Jesus displayed selflessness and amazing grace. He is God. He could have saved himself, but he chose not to; he remained silent. What true love! The crowds at the time represent us. We have flawed and wicked tendencies. We deny Christ through our thoughts, actions and words yet He still shows us deep love that only He can. (Matthew 27:21-23 So the governor asked again, “Which of these two do you want me to release to you?”The crowd shouted back, “Barabbas!” Pilate responded, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?”They shouted back, “Crucify him!” “Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?” But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!”)

Think about it for a minute. Do we really deserve the grace and love Christ shows us each day, each hour, each second? Jesus’ silence just demonstrates true love because the very people (us today) that he came to save yelled “crucify him” out of disdain. It also tells me that he had already forgiven them/us, taking the burden of the cross upon himself.

Love, grace & forgiveness through silence. It is difficult to forgive and let go most of the time. Christ lives in us and so our lives must mirror His love and forgiveness by showing that same grace to others. Is it easy? Not at all, but as His children we must pray for strength to show that kind of grace to others daily. We cannot do it on our own, we desperately need Christ in order to do this.

Ephesians 4:32 NLT encourages us to “be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”

I pray that we always remember what Jesus Christ did for us in Matthew 27, and His word in Ephesians 4 when we need to show grace and forgiveness.

Silence is golden indeed!😁