He Shall Be Called - Day 17

Life and Death Prophecy: The Messiah would be silent before his accusers.

Scripture: Read the prophecy – Isaiah 53:7
Read the fulfillment – Matthew 27:12 – 14; Mark 15:4 – 5

The Jews brought Jesus to Pilate along with all kinds of false claims and false witnesses. Roman law at the time dictated that Pilate should convict Jesus if He refused to speak in His own defense. Jesus knew the law and knew He would be convicted if He refused to speak up. He wasn’t there that day to get justice. He was there that day to make a sacrifice. He was there to satisfy the requirements under God’s law, not man’s law. He wasn’t there to plead his case or ask for mercy. The Bible says Pilate was amazed. He had never seen a prisoner behave this way. But then again, he had never had God for a prisoner. But Jesus wasn’t a conventional prisoner. He didn’t want to be set free and avoid the punishment. He had already accepted God’s will and was ready to take the punishment. A punishment that should have been ours.
Staying silent as others accuse us is just not natural. If the charges are wrong and unfounded, we want to cry out and proclaim our innocence. We demand justice. If the charges brought against us are true and we know we are guilty, we want to make excuses and minimize what we have done. Many people today describe their sin as “a mistake” or “bad judgment”. It is important to remember that God’s laws never change. They aren’t situational. Changes in our culture and society are constant. But we should always remember that God and His laws never change. God says “I am the Lord. I change not”. Because Jesus was faithful to take the punishment, we are no longer condemned.

Q1. What would you tell someone who asked for your help in getting out of the death sentence brought on by sin?

Q2. Many people just can’t accept the idea of salvation being a free gift. They think they need to at least do something to get it. What specifics can you give from God’s word to show unbelievers that Jesus paid the entire debt? Hint: Titus 3:5; Acts 4:12

Lord, now indeed I find, Thy power,
and Thine alone, can change the leper’s spots
And when before the throne I stand in Him complete Jesus died my soul to save my lips will still repeat
Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe.
Sin had left a crimson stain; He washed it white as snow.

PRAYER FOCUS: Lord, I thank You that You don’t change. It is a comfort to know that You and Your plan to redeem me are steadfast and sure. I know I could nev- er meet requirements on my own. Thanks for the escape route that Jesus offered by His sacrifice. Thank You for revealing the truth to me and helping me under- stand my need for a Savior. Praise God for the opportunity to say Yes to Jesus.