They began
to accuse him, saying, “We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us
to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.” Luke 23.2
The crowd had
changed. The adulation of a few days previous had turned into bitter, and
distorted, accusation.
I say the
crowd had changed but perhaps the reality is that the people had been swayed by
the powerful vitriol of a few, against this man of peace, goodness and love.
The
accusations against Jesus are often exaggerated, sometimes downright untrue
and, at times, grossly misunderstood. But this is the way of human action and
reaction. It seems so easy for us to receive information and misinterpret it, rather
than to follow through patiently and keep an open mind in pursuit of the truth.
Accusations
against Jesus have not been confined to that time of His arrest and trial. They
have persisted down through the ages and are rife in this present time.
Rash and
unfounded accusations can often perplex the believer. How am I to respond? How
might I persuade the accuser to move beyond a perceived bias to a place of
receptivity to God’s revelation?
I have long
held the truth that we know nothing of God other than what He chooses to reveal
to us. Herein, then, I see the way forward. When faced with accusations that
would seek to pervert the truth of Christ, I pray to God to bring revelation. I
seek the guidance of the Spirit in what I might say or do. I ask Him to help me
discern the willingness of the other to receive, and I seek courage and a right
time to share my testimony. After all, I was once with the mockers, but God
brought me back to Him.
Lord God,
I thank You for Your work of grace in me. May I be an
instrument used by You to reach others. Amen.
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