He was contemptuously convicted of crimes he never committed. Witnesses stepped forward, alleging that he tried to spark a political insurrection and urged individuals to engage in tax evasion. Other witnesses accused him of terroristic threatening, stating that he vowed to demolish a local religious center and reconstruct it in three days. When the judge inquired whether the man had anything to say in his defense, he surprisingly kept quiet. Dissatisfied with the proceedings, the judge forwarded the case to another neighborhood judge, who repeatedly pressured the man to refute the accusations against him—but there was only silence.
No appeals for mercy. No assertion of innocence.
This famous trial was for the most blameless Man who ever lived, the sinless son of God (Matt. 26:57-68; 27:11-14). The Gospels teach that Jesus remarkably refrained from defending Himself while being unjustly prosecuted (Mark 14:61). He spoke only a few words about His divine nature to the seething Sanhedrin and a probing Pilate, but never once shouted, “I have done nothing wrong!” He had no need to—the holy One had nothing to prove. But according to Peter, there was an additional reason for the Lamb’s silence before His shearers: Jesus believed that the Judge of all humanity would set the record straight and right every wrong:
“He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly” (1 Pet. 2:22-23).
If you have been a Christian for long, you have likely been the target of false accusations and unjust criticisms just like Jesus. Rumors, gossip, and slander can incinerate precious relationships, put our jobs in jeopardy, and tarnish our otherwise godly reputation. And the easiest and most natural reflexes are revenge, rage, resentment, retaliation, and a refusal to forgive. But the righteous response is the one modeled by Christ: entrusting ourselves to the Defender of the oppressed and Avenger of the wronged (Psalm 9:9; 10:17-18; Nahum 1:2). The Lord knows every heart, His scales are perfectly balanced, and He will vindicate us if we are blameless (1 Sam. 16:7; Prov. 16:11; Deut. 32:35).
Therefore, when you are unfairly condemned, do not take matters into your own hands. It is already in the hands of the God whose verdicts are always right. “The LORD loves justice” (Psalm 37:28), and has never misjudged a case—and He won’t start with yours. His job is to judge, and yours is to rest in His righteous justice. Let God sort ‘em out.
Brandon is the pastor of Bandana Baptist Church in Bandana, Kentucky, where he lives with his wife, Dakota, and their three dogs, Susie, Aries, and Dot. Brandon and Dakota are also foster parents through Sunrise Children’s Services of Kentucky. Brandon is also a published author and a religious columnist for the Advance Yeoman newspaper in Ballard County, Kentucky. He is also a devotional contributor for Kentucky Today, a news publication of the Kentucky Baptist Convention. His columns are also featured in the Times-Argus newspaper of Central City, Kentucky, West Kentucky News of western Kentucky, and the online blog, Reforming the Heart.
Brandon's Desk 