Responding to Unjust Treatment

Matthew 26:4-5

Matthew 26:4–5 (CSB)

They conspired to arrest Jesus in a treacherous way and kill him. “Not during the festival,” they said, “so there won’t be rioting among the people.”

We serve a savior that understands injustice. Jesus recognized that he was about to be crucified by the religious and civil authorities of his day. This was tyranny of the worst sorts.

First is the plot. The goal of the plot was to kill Jesus. Think about that for a moment. The religious leaders were so filled with hatred and contempt for Jesus that they wanted to have him killed. What was his crime? Teaching about God’s kingdom. What was the real source of their hatred? Jesus spoke truth to power.

Next is the setting. Those religious leaders sought to deal with the problem without raising the ire of the general public. They understood that Jesus had massive public appeal and did not want problems from those sympathetic. In some ways they were more bothered by what the public might think rather than this unholy plan they were developing to kill an innocent man. In order to accomplish their deed while raising the least resistance the determined eventually to arrest and try Jesus in the middle of the night with false witnesses.

The crisis. All good stories have a moment in which there is a crisis for the main character. Some might suggest the trial was that crisis. Some might point to Judas’ betrayal as the crisis. In this case I believe the crisis was when Jesus (Matthew 26:39) Going a little farther, he fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Jesus in his humanity wanted to be rescued from the injustice that was about to befall him. Later and through out the whole ordeal Jesus submitted himself to great indignities, sorrows, and tortures. And yet Isaiah 53:7 “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers, he did not open his mouth.” Jesus could submit to this unjust treatment because he had first submitted himself to His Heavenly Father.

The climax. In the Christ’s story there is a double climax. The Cross represents the finished work of redemption of those that trust in Jesus Christ . Even Jesus said “It is finished (John 19:30).” The second major event is the resurrection. This demonstrated that Jesus holds the victory over death. While the plot to kill Jesus was intended to silence Jesus and his followers, His death and resurrection ensured that they would not be silenced.

So what can we take from this? First we serve a savior that knows suffering under injustice. Second, when there is plotting there will be those that modify what they do based on what others might think. These moments will expose rank hypocrisy. Third, while the natural urge might be to fight against or escape these injustices, we must first submit ourselves to God’s will and be resigned to submit ourselves to the consequences that will follow as God works through our circumstances. Finally, stand upon the Rock of Christ (Matthew 7:24). His death and resurrection give our faith a firm foundation. This secure stance will help us to face all trials that come our way as we put our hope in Jesus.

These are tough times. However, (1 John 4:4) “You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

God Bless You

~BJ