Restraint 8/5/09

But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.

And those who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.

But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest's courtyard. And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end.

Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death,

but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward

and said, "This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.' "

And the high priest arose and said to Him, "Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?"

But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, "I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!"

Jesus said to him, "It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven."

Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, "He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy!

What do you think?" They answered and said, "He is deserving of death."

Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands,

saying, "Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?"

Matt 26:56-68 (NKJV)

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him.

And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him.

When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!"

Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head.

And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.

Matt 27:27-31 (NKJV)

So we have Jesus the Son of God, who came down from His throne, and wanted to have a relationship with those whom He created. He comes down, is born in a manger, showing that He obviously wasn't arrogant. He, after growing to the age of 30 or so, heals the sick, preaches to them, and unconditionally loves them. And then, after all this, the people, riled by the priests, rise up against Him, and shout for His demise. When He was brought to the chief priest, He was made to give an account for Himself. The chief priest asked him, "Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?" What was his response? Silence. It was only after the high priest put him under an oath ' by the living God to respond ' that He did respond to them. He told them that yes, He was indeed the Son of God.

Can I respond in love to my enemies?

Can I show them through my example how to be like Christ?

Or…

Will they be sent to a place of eternal damnation because of what I did not do?