Good Friday -- He Spoke Not a Word

That sounds almost impossible in an age when it’s all talk, talk, talk and give opinions, express angst and discontentment, and complain about this and that. Passionate defenders of their opinions shout: “Speak up if you want your voice heard!"

The prophet Isaiah gave us inside information about what this day would look like 700 years before Jesus’ birth. “He was as a sheep before the shearers Who opened not His mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7). Jesus said nothing in His own defense. Shocking behavior. He should be defending Himself.

How is that possible? It’s not for me. I have words to speak when I am misjudged or misunderstood. I want what I meant to be clear. After all, I am innocent. I am not a criminal. I am a good girl. I want to set the records straight! I’ve even become one of those passionate defenders of my opinion.

But it’s amazing. Jesus does not defend Himself. Jesus has been up all night enduring absurd trials. He's been spit at, beaten and abused. He's been lied about. Tormented. But, He never says a word. Herod saw no evidence, heard no evidence, heard no testimony, had no proof of any criminal act on the part of Jesus. Jesus was silent.

"Silence is golden" took on a whole new meaning. It was a picture of how Jesus handled adversity. Wonder how many of our arguments could be resolved by silence? 1 Peter 2:23 says “He did not retaliate when He was insulted, nor threaten revenge when He suffered. He left His case in the hands of God, Who always judges fairly.” Peter was an eye-witness and he said: “He did not retaliate.” When they scourged him, He did not retaliate. When the crown of thorns was put on His head, He did not retaliate. When they drove the nails in His hands and feet, He did not retaliate.

The litmus test for us is how we react when we're mistreated. The real test of our faith is often what we don’t do. Our "light" might shine brighter by not saying anything at all. If we want to "WWJD" it when we are mistreated, then we must think and act as He did. We'd first say these four sentences: "It’s not about me. It’s not about now. It’s ALL about God. It’s ALL about eternity." Eternity meant we were on His mind. What if "in the light of eternity" were on our mind when we react?"

Consider this. Was Jesus a helpless victim on this “Good Friday”? Let’s get real here -- He was the Son of God. He had the power to call down a legion of angels to set Him free. He only had to say the word and all of heaven would have come to His aid. But He never said that word. He was truly the Silent Savior who, having all power in His hands, decided not to use it against those who tormented Him. From the cross, Jesus saw the soldiers who mocked, scourged, and tortured Him, and who just nailed Him to the cross. He thought about His disciples who deserted him and Peter who denied Him. He was thinking about us -- who daily forget Him in our lives.

At the height of His physical suffering, He broke His silence to utter these words from the cross: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34. Jesus asks His Father to forgive, but it is by His very sacrifice on the cross that we are able to be forgiven! Could we possibly say to OUR enemies: "I love you. I would rather die than hate you.’” That is WJD – What Jesus DID. Oh that we could follow His example daily as we ask ourselves the question "What Would Jesus Do?" WWJD, giving up our right to be right as we take up our own crosses and follow Him. I'm writing WWJD, not with chalk, but a permanent marker on the billboards of my heart on this Good Friday and I pray: "Make me more like You, Jesus. Make me more like You. Give me a heart that's filled with love. Make me more like You."

Not Finished Yet

I was getting suggestions from one of my subdivision's builders about some artwork that I’m working on for advertising. We were discussing this awesome 55+ Active Adult Community and taglines that would help describe us. Sarcastically, he said, “Whatever you do, Donna, don’t use words like old folks, retired person, baby-boomer, old-timer, senior!” He meant those would be the practical words to use, but they don’t equate to this lively, energetic, young-at-heart community where we may not be working as hard as we once did, but most of us are still living life large. We’re REFIRED – not the typical sitting-in-a-rocking-chair, just watching TV kind of folks.

Here's how we're making the most of this season of our lives: some still work full-time, others part time. We volunteer for charities and churches. We travel (a lot), some play pickleball, tennis and golf, others are taking piano and voice lessons, others are master gardeners, and others attend seminars and classes to upgrade their skills in various areas. AND others are sharing their wisdom to young people and children as teachers and role models. I love that. Just think how we can save the younger generation a lot of time and effort by the wisdom we can share from the lessons we’ve learned.

So, we’re thinking we should have buttons, t-shirts, bumper stickers, and hats made that read “Not Finished Yet” on them.

Regardless of the number of birthdays we've celebrated, we are still here. And as long as we are here, we are not there, and as long as we are not there, it means God still has a purpose for us here.

When Jesus was on the cross, the last thing He said was “It is finished." After He made that statement, He died. So when is God's purpose for us on this earth finished? It is finished when we die. Until then, we are not finished yet!

Don't let the thought of getting older discourage you or even make you fearful of what tomorrow might hold. Consider these words that God spoke to Isaiah in Psalm 92 "But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green. They will declare, “The LORD is just! He is my rock!”