Defense

Ancient armies had two types of shields. A large shield was carried in one hand for full body protection. An army could huddle together and raise these shields over their heads as a defensive barrier when fiery arrows were falling from the sky. The shield carried in the other hand was smaller and used for hand-to-hand combat or personal safety when rocks were hurled from the top of city walls. For the believer, God is our shield.

I recently watched a game where one team’s best player could not participate. His injuries kept him out of the action. The cameras showed him pacing up and down, cheering from the sidelines, but unable to go out on the field. His skills were missed, and his team ended up losing the game. The enemy knows he can’t take us off God’s team, but he can sideline us. He can’t separate us from God’s love, but he can render us ineffective. Satan is always working to put us on the injured reserve list.

How could a man who raised the dead…die? Confusion filled their hearts. Saturday was silent.

Why would a man who claimed to be God’s Son remain silent before human authorities? How could one who resisted the temptations of Satan submit to the torment of soldiers? How could a man speak with such power and now refuse to register a defense? Why would a man who walked on water march to His death without a fight? How could a man who raised the dead…die?

Jesus did not respond because He was not a victim to a trial; He was a servant following the Father’s plan. The Sinless One gave no defense of His innocence. The time had come for the cross. Jesus was about His Father’s business.