What Was Jesus Doing?

TO READ: Luke 23:1-12

He asked Jesus question after question, but Jesus refused to answer.

Luke 23:9

Perhaps you would never play such cruel word games with Jesus as Herod did, but there are other games just as hurtful to the Savior. Human beings can play the games of indifference, of rejection, or of willful ignorance. Modern people have grown “tolerant” —they simply walk over their Savior’s sorrows and go on their way untouched, unreached, and unregenerate.

“Here is the man!” cried Pilate, displaying the tortured Christ, sure his sufferings would engender pity. Instead, the chief priests and officers cried out, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” (John 19:6). And what was Jesus doing while all this was going on? Nothing! He who had the power to summon ten thousand angels to his help chose to stand helplessly, resigned to die because there was no other way to reconcile the world to God! He who had the power to consume his enemies with the breath of his mouth refused to answer, though every effort was employed to make him talk. Jesus didn’t play games with his enemies; he was tall and straight and true. He told us he was the truth, the way, and eternal life —and then rested his case. He neither teased us with the unattainable nor taunted us with the irresistible, but simply offered us salvation. Here is the man! The Man of men —God himself in human form!

Then dare to play your games if you will! As for me, I am sold —devastated by the story of the God-man subjected to humiliation that defies description. I am captured, reduced to tears —I worship!