”The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him. They blindfolded him and demanded, ‘Prophesy! Who hit you?’ And they said many insulting things to him.”   Luke  22:63-65

Silence. As mocking words and blows flew, not a word was spoken from our Savior. In the book of Mark, he records that they also spit on Him. Still nothing. Blindfolded, yet He could see far more than who it was hurling things, for He could see into their hearts. And the interesting thing was, they had to know something about His power because they mention one of of His gifts, prophecy. They also had no idea that they were actually living out Old Testament prophecy. None of this makes logical sense. It goes against all that rises inside of us to defend our Lord. However, when we stop and quiet our hearts, we see His.

More shouts and accusations came. Then a journey, while carrying the cross, until another carried it for Him. In the noise, you also hear wailing. Jesus speaks a warning to those mourning. Then the actual act of crucifixion takes place between two criminals. Then words come that I hear today. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Mark 23:34). We may not have been in the crowd that day, but we are part of the whole world crowd He came to die for. What grace He offers in the midst of pain. Can we do the same?

Remember the words Paul writes, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against power, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12). Our eyes often see and hear a person or situation , but the reality is this is not our true enemy. Our sight and feelings are limited, but His are not. From His vantage point of the cross, He knows He is covering all of our sin – past, present and future. We so often do not know what we are doing or saying, but in His grace, forgives us. Today as we remember the most extravagant demonstration of love that has ever taken place or will take place, may the Lord see our hearts too. May He see hearts that are easy to forgive, focused on fighting the real enemy, extravagant in love and steadfast in faith.

Tomorrow we will hear more silence as we remember the day He remained in the tomb. We will not lose hope, for we know what is coming. Keep holding on, Sunday will be here before we know it. Be ready!