He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. (Isa. 53:7)
When we are young and healthy, we imagine that our lives are all about activity. My students try to find that one job that God has called them to or to find the specific acts of service God wants them to perform. But so much of our lives is spent not acting, but waiting, unable to control the action as much as we’d like. Then we are not acting, but other forces are acting on us.
Jesus was clear and specific about his identity for most of the three years of his public ministry, but as soon as he was betrayed, he grew silent. Why? Because his identity was found not only in what he did, but in what was done to him. For three years, Jesus had been active: speaking and healing and teaching and traveling. And God had consistently been seen in his activity. When the time came to stop acting, others acted on him, and he received their actions. He was flogged by others; he was forced to bear the cross through the streets; he was nailed to the cross, the ultimate victim. And he was laid in a tomb.
From Jesus’ example, we can take heart—because God is honored not only in our activity, but also in our faithfulness in those moments when we cannot be active.
Honor God in how you bear what you cannot control.
Michael Jordan is the dean of the chapel at Houghton College (New York), where he also serves as chair of the department of biblical studies, theology, and philosophy.
© 2020 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
