The passion week of Christ found in chapters 10-16 of the Gospel of Mark is an amazing portion of Scripture that challenges believer and unbeliever alike. It has been said countless times, the cross demands and answer. Truly it does. If you are a thinking person that is willing to consider the cross at all, you are faced with a decision as to who Jesus Christ is and what the cross is going to mean in your life.
That decision made, as believers we see throughout all of the passion week, so much for us to learn about growing in Christ-likeness. If we truly consider ourselves to be Christian, then we must see, in all of Christ’s trial, mocking, and crucifixion, in all of those horrific events, that Jesus demonstrates to us some of the highest callings and examples by which we can grow in Christ-likeness.
The Example of Christ – Humble Silence
How did Christ respond to the religious leaders relentless evil attacks and hateful accusations? He didn’t. He remained silent in obedience to His father, and because their accusations were not worthy of a response.
How did Christ respond to Pilate when asked why he was silent to these accusations? He didn’t. Once again He remained silent.
How do we then respond to others when we are ridiculed or mocked? When we are falsely accused or criticized for something? Simple…we don’t respond. We don’t need to respond to false accusations. Our testimony of silence is enough. Simply let the Holy Spirit work in their lives through your silence and good works.
In Mattthew 5:16 we read the following:
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
Jesus knew His death on the cross, His crucifixion, had to happen in obedience to the will of His Father in heaven. Jesus’ silence, throughout the whole process, spoke volumes. From trial to death, Christ did not respond to the attacks…to the reviling of those around Him. Rather He sat, stood, and hung in humble silence, not responding to those that would mock, scorn, revile, and kill Him.
Following Christ’s example, we don’t need to respond to false accusations or mocking. We don’t need to acknowledge the foolishness of this world when we are wrongly judged and reviled. How we respond, how we live before others, how we sit-stand-and die to self, in obedience to Him, is done in Christ-likeness to honor our heavenly Father, and to point others to the cross of Jesus Christ.
“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Matthew 16:24
But what about when we are called out by this world for who we really are. What do we do when we are mocked or ridiculed as one of those “Christians”, or one of those “Born Again” weirdos.
Again…we look to the example of our Lord Jesus. We respond just like Christ did! He gave a truthful response when asked about who He was.
The Example of Christ – A Truthful Response
Jesus was asked by Pilate in Mark 15:2 “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered and said to him, “It is as you say.”
So how do you answer the question… “Who are you?”
Or what if someone says to you “Tell me a bit about yourself…”
What if they ask you flat out… “Are you a Christian?”
How will you reply?
Do you dread that question?
Do you shy away or try to redirect the question?
Do you change the subject out of fear?
Or will you answer like Christ, speaking the truth, and profess to others… “It is as you say.”
In Matthew 10 Jesus was teaching the twelve apostles exactly what it meant to be one of His disciples.
“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” MAtthew 10:32-33
Telling the truth to others that we are a child of God, a follower of Jesus Christ, that He is our Lord and Savior, is exactly what we do. Like Christ, we give a truthful response. Without hesitation. Without fear. With boldness and confidence in the truth of who Christ says we are.
You have been adopted into God’s Family
“4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Galatians 4:4-6
You are chosen and called by God
Peter tells us that as believers we are “9 …a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9
You are sealed by the Holy Spirit
As believers we have been given a gift and promise from God that can never be changed. We are His forever. Ephesians 1:13 tells us
“13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise…” Ephesians 1:13
As a believer, a follower of Jesus Christ, we will long to grow in His likeness. It is who we are, and what we do. Paul wrote in the book of Hebrews telling us how we are to live our lives. How we are to run the race of our faith, specifically in the light of the truth that Jesus endured the cross.
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2
Additionally Romans 12:1-2 calls us to a life of transformation to Christ-likeness.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1-2
Jesus proved the “good and acceptable and perfect will of God” when He willingly, lovingly and in obedience to His Holy Father went to the cross on your behalf. In the same manner, we prove the “good and acceptable and perfect will of God” when we willingly, lovingly and in obedience to His Holy Father give a truthful answer as we lay down our lives and take up His cross.
Have you confessed Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the risen Savior, as your Christ? Do you believe that He was tried, mocked, and crucified that you might have forgiveness of your sins and eternal life?
If the answer is yes, than He is most worthy and deserving of a truthful response from us when people ask us who we really are!
1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another and build up one another..." 