Day 35 - Standing Firm in the Trial

by Grace Outlaw

Mark, Luke, & John

This is Peachtree City. I will hazard a guess that the overwhelming majority of us have been at our child’s baseball game, or soccer match, and had the official make a call against our kid that was… unfair! Complete and total hogwash! Nothing gets me fired up more than when I feel like someone is coming for my kids, and I’m sure many of you can relate.

And I know we’ve all seen how many of those parents react when they experience these feelings of injustice – they scream, they yell, they call names and throw tantrums and curse (all the while setting such excellent examples of sportsmanship for the kids).

Jesus stood trial before both the Jewish and Roman authorities – and the entire process was marred with injustices. After his arrest in Gethsemane, Jesus faced six different hearings (three religious, and three civil) in just a single night. The religious leaders broke their own laws by holding trials at night. Testimonies were coerced, false accusations were made against Jesus, and the authorities refused to acquit him despite a complete lack of evidence.

It should come as no surprise that Jesus did the exact opposite of what so many of us do when faced with injustice. He entrusted himself wholly to the Father’s plan. 

In the face of betrayal and mockery, the response from Jesus was as simple as it was astonishing. Jesus’ response was one of:

• Silent Faith: Before Caiaphas and Pilate, Jesus often remained silent. He restrained himself, and in so doing revealed his unwavering trust in God’s sovereignty, even when the human systems around were failing him so terribly. (Mark 14; John 19)

• Bold Truth: When directly asked if he was the Messiah, Jesus affirmed his identity by simply stating, “I am.” (Mark 14:62) Jesus never compromised his mission on earth, even as the false charges mounted against him.

• Radical Forgiveness: From the cross, Jesus prayed “Father, forgive them...” (Luke 23:34) extending grace to his accusers and condemners. 

Can you imagine?! I certainly can’t! In the face of death and torture, Jesus looked at those causing him this pain… the root of these injustices… and forgave them. Whether we are faced with injustice, betrayal, or hardship, Jesus is the perfect example of how to navigate our own ‘trials.’

1. Trust God’s Sovereignty – Jesus’ peace amidst the chaos stemmed from his confidence in God the Father’s plans (John 19:11). When life feels unfair, we can rest in his ultimate authority. Like Jesus, we can pray, “Not my will, but yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42)

2. Respond with Integrity – Jesus refused to counter the religious and political authorities with lies or anger. Instead his example calls us to speak truth when necessary (Colossians 4:6), stay silent when we’re tempted to retaliate (Proverbs 15:1), and to forgive those who wrong us, just as Christ forgives us (Ephesians 4:32).

3. Find Purpose in the Trial – This might be (ok, definitely is) the toughest one for me to grasp. How do you tell a mother who has a sick child, or a father and husband who just lost his job that there is purpose to this difficult time? But we are challenged to find joy in these trials (ahh! I cringed just writing that!) and allow these trials to refine our faith (James 1:2-4). As difficult as it is, I have to force myself to believe this, lest my faith unravels like a thread plucked from a tapestry.

Consider… Where is God inviting you to trust him in a trial? How can you reflect Christ’s grace under pressure and in the face of injustice? Jesus’ trial reminds us that our darkest moments aren’t wasted – they are woven into his story of redemption for all of humanity.