Text: Luke 22:66-23:12, John 18:28-38, Isaiah 53:7-8
He was oppressed and He was afflicted,
Yet He did not open His mouth;
Like a lamb that is led to slaughter,
And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers,
So He did not open His mouth.
– Isaiah 53:7, NASB
It’s a little known fact to anyone who steps into my homeschool classroom (in actuality, a small breakfast nook crowded with a well-loved child’s play kitchen, sticky high chair and watercolor-stained dinner table) that I used to be an attorney. Don’t judge.
As someone who has read textbook after textbook of case law and learned the rights guaranteed by the Constitution backwards and forwards, the trial of Jesus has me shaking my head at how such a tragedy of justice could take place. Due process? Hardly.
The list of injustices is lengthy:
The trial was illegally held in a private home.
Witnesses were illegally called at night.
Jesus’ accusers “tried on” various charges until they found something, anything, on which Pilate had jurisdiction to rule.
When Pilate didn’t want to rule, he shipped Jesus off to another judge, Herod. Herod mishandled the defendant and let his jailers mistreat Him—dressing Him mockingly in an elegant robe—after which Herod returned Jesus back to the first judge.
Jesus had every right, every opportunity and, obviously, full capability to protest. When you are the Son of God, I would assume you are more than equipped to argue your case pro se—that is, on your own. And yet, He didn’t.
There’s a phrase that makes any attorney cringe when they hear their client say it. It’s like nails on a chalkboard, whether the client is technically on the right or wrong side of the law. That phrase is, “I don’t care what it costs; it’s a matter of principle.” When you hear those words you then know this case is out of your hands, because your client’s ego, pride and need to prove him or herself right is on the line. Nothing is going to stop them.
I’d argue that no one is any more “in the right” than Jesus. Yet He endured every injustice, every step of the way, without ego, pride or the need to prove Himself. He let go of standing up for the principle of the matter by standing up for those that principally matter to Him. You. Me.
As pastor and writer Adrian Rogers explains, “If Jesus had taken up His own defense with the intention of refuting his accusers and proving his innocence, he would have won. But we would have lost, and we would be lost for all eternity.”
Jesus had a totally different case strategy—to take His case, and ours, to a higher Judge. He is the ultimate example of turning the other cheek. In those instances when we want to stomp our feet and cry, “No fair!”—or “But I’m the one who’s right here!”—we have the freedom to say nothing at all. Christ is our perfect defense. We can take our satisfaction not in proving ourselves right, but in the knowledge that our ultimate fate has already been sealed by a higher Judge—One who sits not on a bench with a gavel, but on a throne of clouds, wielding mercy and unending compassion. Case dismissed.
Sarah Matheny is an ever-growing, ever-changing gal, laughing and living in the Pacific Northwest. One-time attorney, food blogger, and author, all-the-time wife and mom to three wild-eyed, spunky girly girls, she’s passionate about her family, her friends and growing in her walk with Christ as He dishes up an always unpredictable, but totally delicious life.
I can think of no example of a more unjust trial! Using our Constitution as a foundation of what is considered fair and necessary to protect people's rights: Jesus was arrested for constitutionally-protected speech, free exercise of religion, and assembly, perhaps even a redress of grievances (the table-turning at the temple was probably the last straw for the Pharisees), in violation of the First Amendment. He was arrested and seized in violation of the Fourth Amendment without a warrant. In violation of the Fifth Amendment, he was not indicted by a grand jury, and was compelled to be a witness against himself, and his due process rights were violated. In violation of the Sixth Amendment, his trial was not public, was not by jury, and he did not have counsel; he was not able to be confronted with the witnesses against him, or to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor. He was sentenced to the death penalty without appeal and executed by way of cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment. Yet he didn't demand any of these things. He knew the battle was not of this world, which is the true reality of all of our lives. We're never in control or guaranteed anything in this world except for what Jesus did by willingly going by a lamb to the slaughter. By laying down his life he gained the power to take it up again. I am so grateful!
So sometimes when I read through the passages and the devotionals I pick up certain things that resonate, but I have a hard time putting my finger on why it is resonating with me. And today was no different. The words "Christ is our perfect defense" stuck with me. But not in the sense of the courtroom, but rather on the soccer field. I've been playing soccer since I was probably 7 years old, and I'm 26 now. At an early age I figured out that I loved the position of goalkeeper. I played, mostly as a goalkeeper, all through elementary school, middle school, and high school. Then I was blessed to be the starting goalkeeper all four years of my college career. If I had it my way I'd be playing for the US Women's National team right now, but God had other plans for me. The game of soccer has provided me more than I will ever be able to provide it. That fact is something I still struggle with, but reading through the devotional today continued to prove that. God used soccer in a way to bring me closer to him by relating today's message to playing soccer in several ways.
Someone else commented on here saying that "When He stood in the presence of pride, hurt, fear, pain…when these emotions sought to overcome Him, He stood tall with unmatched strength and love to overcome all of those life-stealing emotions so that we can too!" Pride is something I've definitely learned is a huge struggle of mine. And not in the way where I outwardly boast (my best friend will tell you that I don't outwardly celebrate my accomplishments enough). But the pride I struggle with is on the inside. It is a constant competition with myself. And often I forget that I can lean on God to help me because of this pride. When the going gets tough I tell myself "Keep going, you got this." When I need to actually say "Keep going, God's got this, so therefore you do too." And I think a lot of this is related the fact that being a goalkeeper, something that comes so naturally, is the form of a "defender." A defender is someone who is strong for themselves and others. Too often I pride myself on that strength. And I translate that not only on the soccer field, but in life. I naturally want to be a defender of others and myself. And I often forget that there is a greater defender than me. That defender is Christ.
So even though I'm never going to stop being a "defender" in life, I know I'm not perfect, and that sometimes that ball is going to get past my defense. But I need to take heart in the fact that Jesus is the PERFECT DEFENDER. He's the ultimate goalkeeper in our lives. He has a perfect shut-out record. And just as I learned that as a goalkeeper on the soccer field I need to help move the defense and talk to the entire team on the field to be more successful, Jesus is doing that exact thing for us. He's helping us be better defenders, He's helping us move on the field of life. He's helping us reach our goals. Constantly reminding us that He is there. Picking us up and giving us encouragement when we are weak. Forgiving us when we mess up on the field in front of His goal. He is ultimately defending us eternally.
I know I need to put my pride, hurt, pain, and fear aside and be able to ask for His help and His grace and His love. Just like on the soccer field, I need to be able to call out to Him when I need a sub. When my legs are heavy and tired. When my lungs are burning. When I can no longer give what myself and others need from me. When my strength is gone I need to be able to raise my hand (a sign to your coach you need a sub) and fall to my knees before him. Because Christ is the ultimate defender.
I love this! Thanks for that visual.
"In those instances when we want to stomp our feet and cry, 'No fair!'—or 'But I’m the one who’s right here!'—we have the freedom to say nothing at all. Christ is our perfect defense. "
I needed this today.
I've been in a situation where, yes, it was wrong – I know that, and the other person knows that now. But I don't need to keep relaying the facts; I have the freedom not to! Amen.
Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner, and teach me to love as you do. Again I say, amen.
This has convicted my heart today. I love debate – I enjoy trying to find the right "argument" to prove my point. I'll even debate things I don't agree with! (In a "which is better? Chicken or beef?" kind of way.) The question I need to start asking myself is "Why do I need to be right? Am I defending my pride, my ego, my self reliance?" If the answer is yes then I need to hit my knees in repentence because that comes down to not trusting God, not trusting my Saviour to rescue and redeem me. Instead of giving defence, I need to be giving thanks.
Kim, it’s so funny to me to read your post. I am the polar opposite— I detest debate and conflict of any kind, but I know many people that love it. I was encourage by this passage also because while my friends openly judge various topics, I silently pass judgement on them, getting my knickers in a knot… I also am thankful for Jesus’ example. I have the freedom not to judge or be unkind in my heart.
We have the freedom to say nothing at all…… I just love this so much! Trying to "prove" ourselves is exhausting and an incredible waste of energy. Energy that would be much better placed in other, postive endeavors. Turn the other cheek is a difficult thing to do! What an inspiration this reading is! Jesus turned the other cheek in the most powerful way. What an example!
Sarah! I love to see how God uses every life experience. He wastes nothing!! Thank you for using your legal expertise to enlighten us on a passage that I am familiar with but never put all of the points together to see each point on injustice. Thank you!!
Ha! Thanks, Sarah. I often wonder what God had for me in that whole law school, Bar, private practice experience. Thanks for giving me some perspective!
This was so great to read! For those times when things don't seem fair, when we want the last word… remember Jesus being silent gives us peace and comfort in knowing that justice is done. Thank you!