Embattled | Blog – Deb Mills

Photo Credit: Bruce Cooper

In the last days of Jesus’ time on earth, he was repeatedly accused of wrong-doing. He had done no wrong, and yet with powerful adversaries, his innocence and integrity were questioned over and over. He never faltered. Even with the most unscrupulous scheming of the religious leaders of that day. They hid their intentions behind questions on his authority and grasp of religious and civil law. Their attempts to trick him, day after day, must have been exhausting, but he never wavered. He had done nothing wrong.

Then a break came in the questioning. An unnamed scribe entered into the fray… He had heard his fellows hammer Jesus with question after question, and finally he asked one himself:

And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions. – Mark 12:28-34

Unbelievably this scribe actually spoke with reason. Jesus had answered his question so well the scribe could not sully him, even if he wanted to. He, in fact, repeated Jesus’ answer in affirmation.

Don’t you love when truth and reason prevail? When people who may be completely opposed on an issue can recognize and are willing to speak out in agreement when they find common ground. This scribe agreed with Jesus, the one his peers wanted exposed, even killed.Photo Credit: Christian Publishing House Blog

As winsomely as Jesus endured these tormentors and answered his accusers in ways that confounded them, he would still be put on trial and turned over to executioners.

He would die…for us. Innocent and without any guilt of wrong-doing. For us. No terrible mistake here. No win for the religious or political of that day. His death was on his terms. He died that we might live.

From the cross, one of the last thing Jesus said was telling:

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then bowing his head, he gave up his spirit. – John 19:30

What he came to earth to do was done. He had healed and taught, prayed and worshiped, loved and laughed, and single-handedly shook up the status quo. The world would be forever changed.

Three days in the tomb, and then Jesus rose. He rose never to taste death again. Never before and never since did this happen in history.

After a season of days with his disciples, he ascended to the Father.

After the Lord Jesus had said these things to the disciples, he was taken back up to heaven where he sat down at the right side of God. – Mark 16:19

…where he sat down at the right side of God.

That passage is so beautiful. Just as God rested on the 7th day of Creation, Jesus rested after his work was finished. Did he need to rest? No. However, it is a beautiful punctuation mark.

We need rest. When we are faced with hard. When accusers bite at our heels. When loss or disappointment darkens the sun in our lives. When the work is just too exhausting…we need rest. Even when we know God has fought our battles for us, we are frail humanity. We stand against the onslaught, but a time comes when we are just done. When we withstand whatever has come against us, He calls us to rest.

Steve Green sings a beautiful song…almost a lullaby…to remind us that we can rest because God is with us and will fight for us always.

Worship with me:

Rest the Lord is near
Refuse to fear
Enjoy his love

Trust, His mighty power
Fills every hour
Of all your days

There is no need
For needless worry
With such a Savior
You have no cause to ever

Doubt His perfect word
Still reassures
In any trial

Rest the Lord is there
Lift up your prayer
For He is strong

Trust, He’ll bring release
And perfect peace
Will calm your mind

There is no need
For needless worry
With such a Savior
You have no cause to ever

Doubt His perfect word
Still reassures
In any trial

Call Him, if you grow frightened
Call Him, with loving care
He’ll lift the burden and you’ll

Rest the Lord is near
Refuse to fear
Enjoy His love