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GODLY RESTRAINT

Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror, shouting, "Blasphemy! Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy.  What is your verdict?"   "Guilty!" they shouted. "He must die!"   Then they spit in Jesus' face and hit him with their fists. And some slapped him,  saying, "Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who hit you that time?" – Matthew 26:65-68 (NLT)

      It is hard to imagine God getting smacked around by mere humans. But that is exactly what happened on this day. During Jesus’ sham of a trial before the religious leaders He was asked to confirm or deny His Deity. “Do you claim to be God or don’t you?” Jesus answered in the affirmative and fists began to fly. God in the flesh is getting beat to a pulp. He has the power to strike them down with one whisper, yet instead He takes all the punishment they can dish out.

      An innocent God submits to the wrath of sinful men. As difficult as it is to understand, it demands reflection. What kind of God would put up with this? Is He weak, incapable of defending Himself? No. God’s restraint testifies to His strength, kindness, and ultimately His grace. It is the same restraint He shows toward us every time that we sin and fall short of His glory. As we strike out He absorbs the hit, and offers us the silence of forgiveness.

PRAYER THOUGHT: God, thank you for not giving us what we deserve. You are worthy to be praised.