Let Them Say Whatever They Wish

It is human nature to defend one’s honor. Our entire justice system is built upon protections against false accusations. That never stops others from speaking falsely about our character as Christians. Some even make up entire stories to smear our reputation. We’re not alone.

Our Lord was smeared, lied about, and ultimately executed based upon false accusations and jealousy. When confronted, He either confirmed truth or remained silent against lies. He had no need to defend His honor. They were going to kill Him anyway.

It might seem strange, but today’s reading is the story of the trial and crucifixion of Our Lord according to the Gospel of Luke. The Lectionary is about to switch gears for the Great Fast, and we are ‘wrapping up’ our readings from Luke. This happens each time we switch Gospels.

Another thing is happening in today’s reading. I urge you not to gloss over the reading ‘just because’ you know it. Take the time to read every word and ask God to speak to you today. Here is what touched me today.

Christ remained silent. He didn’t defend Himself. He didn’t panic about the lies being told about Him. He knew the truth. He knew the truth would win. That’s our lesson as Christians in a world growing more antagonistic to Christ. Let them say whatever they wish about us.

The lies and slander against us as Christians will not change our salvation. It won’t matter if the world thinks poorly about us. What matters is what God thinks about us. He already knows the truth about us. There is no reason to panic about lies and slander.

Take a few minutes and read today’s reading…

At that time, the chief priests, the scribes, and elders of the people brought Jesus before Pilate.  And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man perverting our nation, and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ a king.”  And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”  And he answered him, “You have said so.”  And Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes, “I find no crime in this man.”  But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.” When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean.  And when he learned that he belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time.  When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him.  So he questioned him at some length; but he made no answer.  The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him.  And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then, arraying him in gorgeous apparel, he sent him back to Pilate.  And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other. Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him; neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us.  Behold, nothing deserving death has been done by him; I will therefore chastise him and release him.” Now he was obliged to release one man to them at the festival. But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas” — a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city, and for murder.  Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus; but they shouted out, “Crucify, crucify him!”  A third time he said to them, “Why, what evil has he done?  I have found in him no crime deserving death; I will therefore chastise him and release him.”  But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified.  And their voices prevailed.  So Pilate gave sentence that their demand should be granted.  He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, whom they asked for; but Jesus he delivered up to their will. And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus.  And there followed him a great multitude of the people, and of women who bewailed and lamented him.  But Jesus turning to them said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.  For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never gave suck!’  Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us’; and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’  For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?” And when they came to the place which is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two.  Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!”  And having said this he breathed his last.  Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, and said, “Certainly this man was innocent!”  And all the multitudes who assembled to see the sight, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts.  And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance and saw these things. Now there was a man named Joseph from the Jewish town of Arimathea.  He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, who had not consented to their purpose and deed, and he was looking for the kingdom of God.  This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud, and laid him in a rock hewn tomb, where no one had ever yet been laid.  It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning.  The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and saw the tomb, and how his body was laid; then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

Luke 23:1-31, 33, 44-56

We shouldn’t panic about the lies and slander. We SHOULD worry about the truth of our sins and offences against God. We SHOULD worry that our lives are not as they should be. The crowd of Jews betrayed God out of jealousy. What is our reason for betraying Him?

You see, we are so wrapped up in defending ourselves against the world, we forget to repent and stand in front of God. This is where we should spend our attention during the Great Fast. Accept the truth of our sins and commit to avoiding them. Commit to holiness. Commit to God.

During His entire trial, Our Lord was committed to the Father. “Into your hands I commit my spirit!” That is the lesson for us today and every day, no matter how the world lies and slanders us. Admit to the truth and remain silent in slander.

Where the truth reveals our sins, we must repent. Sounds like we have a lot of work cut out for us during Great Lent. As with other years, I will be offering a Daily Lenten Journey each day during the Great Fast. I pray we embark on this journey with truth and silence.