Together - Daily DevotionalSample

Trails of Jesus 

It is said that when animals were sacrificed they should display a willingness to die without sound or struggle. One commentator suggests that priests would even cut out the tongues of lambs to prevent them bleating and thus make them an acceptable sacrifice. 

Jesus endured the indignity of several trials before various authorities such as the priests, Herod and Pilate. Yet as a willing sacrifice, He did not struggle or make any defence in fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophecy, “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth”( Isa.53:7).  There is a time to protest about injustice, particularly when suffered by others.  However, there is also a time to follow the example of Jesus who did not retaliate to insults or threaten those who made Him suffer. Instead, He committed and entrusted Himself to God (1 Peter 2:18-25).

Jesus introduced a new way of living by not taking an eye for an eye but responding to unfair treatment by the same qualities of forgiveness, grace, mercy and love that God has shown us (Matt.5:38-48).

Prayer: Lord, help me to follow the example of Jesus forgiveness and love