Day 29

Be Still:  Dear Father, Jesus could have spared Himself the mockery of the trial, yet He chose to be condemned to save us.  May we be willing to endure pain for His sake.  In Jesus’ name, through the power of the Holy Spirit, Amen

Be Strengthened:  Matthew 26:63-68

⁶³But Jesus remained silent.
The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God."

⁶⁴"Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."

⁶⁵Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. ⁶⁶What do you think?"
"He is worthy of death," they answered.

⁶⁷Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him ⁶⁸and said, "Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?"

Be Stretched:  Jesus chose not to respond to the false testimony against Him.  When He answered Caiaphas, He was charged with blasphemy, and condemned to death.  This was completely unjust.  And yet, Jesus chose to allow it because He had a larger purpose.  Have you ever been put down because of what you believe, or had false or unfair things said about you because of your faith in Christ?  How did you respond?  Pray that the Holy Spirit would help you to see the larger purpose, even when you are mocked for His sake.