all we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
he was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he opened not his mouth.
[isaiah 53:6-7]
he stood in our place.
at some point on the cross – Jesus took the weight of your sin as if he was guilty of your sin.
for our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, … [2 cor 5:21]
the holy son of God – who knew no sin – took on the guilt of your sin,
the holy son of God – who knew no sin – took on the punishment of your sin,
and then, …
God the father poured out all his wrath for your sin – on Jesus.
every whip, every thorn, every beating, every nail – that was yours – came upon Jesus.
and then, …
he was silent.
why?
why did he say not a word when taking my punishment?
why did he say not a word when standing in your place of guilt?
why did he say not a word when the whip ripped his back for our rebellion?
why?
two reasons.
one – God is humble in character, his being, his heart.
only holy creator God who is full of humility could take a beating from his creation – in order to redeem his creation.
“i am gentle and lowly in heart” – Jesus [matthew 11:29]
two – at some point in this whole bloody process, Jesus was standing as a condemned and guilty man for you and i. he stood in our place – as guilty. he stood in our place – as condemned. he stood in our place
he stood guilty in our place. so, he did not speak against any charge or any crime or any sin they accused him of or beat him for. he stood in our place.
he was silent because it was his heart (humble and full of love) that led him to stand in our place (as guilty).
what a REDEEMER!
who loved you, gave himself for you, and stood in your place.
today,
may his humility and love overwhelm your heart and may Jesus grow as the greatest treasure in you!
and may worship for him – flow from your heart and mouth all day!
~ john ryan