JUN 12

Mark 14:55-65
Memorise Matthew 5:11
“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and…”

HOW DO YOU HANDLE INJUSTICE METED TO YOU?

A trial is a formal legal examination of evidence before an impartial judge or jury to determine the guilt of an accused. It is a basic human right in civilized and orderly societies. Everything about the trial of Christ before the Jewish high priest Caiaphas defied any semblance of a fair and just trial. Christ was denied basic respect and dignity. Everyone involved in the trial was corrupt! The chief priests, elders and all the council actively sought false evidence against Christ. Evidence presented by the witnesses was spurious. They all contradicted each other, and they distorted the words of Christ. In response to all that, Christ only spoke to confirm who He was and prophesied of His second coming. This elicited a charge of blasphemy for they refused to believe that He was indeed the Son of God. The high priest tore his clothes and condemned Him to death. This was indeed a ludicrous charge as Christ being the Son of God is incapable of committing blasphemy! The whole trial was but a mere formality. The sentence of death was a foregone conclusion. Christ could have easily refuted the false testimony and accusations, yet He held His peace. Christ showed no contempt for the kangaroo court nor tried to escape even though His life hung in the balance. Through it all, Christ exemplified complete passive obedience to the Father, and in doing so showed great strength.

“It’s not fair!” How many times have you cried this or at the very least thought it? In fact, most of us struggle to even accept just punishment due to us as a result of our wrongdoing. We try to avoid the consequences, try to justify our actions, or do anything to mitigate it. How do you think you will respond in the face of gross injustice when you are completely innocent? As Christ did, with total meekness and humility? Will you accept it quietly, without hesitation, counter-arguments, without uttering a single ‘but’? This sinful world is inherently unjust and we ourselves are so full of self. Was it justice for Christ to go to the cross for our sin? Nevertheless, as Christ stood there in the face of the false accusations, He knew they were for a greater purpose. These injustices are but temporal. And, so too are they in your life. They may seem unbearable but as a Christian, you suffer not in vain, but for the most worthy testimony of Christ. Your meek and humble testimony will shine brightly amongst unbelievers who will find it unfathomable. Handling false accusations as Christ did is not weakness but manifestation of strength of faith. God is the ultimate judge and He will reward and punish accordingly.

Thought: Are you a Christian? Then count it worthy to suffer for Christ!
Prayer: Lord, may You grant me the faith to suffer injustice with joy.