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SCRIPTURE READINGS

ISAIAH 50:4-9a
PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11
LUKE 19:28-40

REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “The suffering of the innocent” Suffering is the state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship. An innocent person is one who is not guilty of a crime or an offence. The suffering of the innocent is when a person who is not guilty is made to suffer or undergo unjust punishment. We shall reflect on the fact that Like Jesus, the innocent suffer because of hatred and persecution, however, the innocent will be vindicated and elevated by God in the end.

Beloved in the Lord, the innocent suffer because of hatred and persecution but they will be vindicated and elevated by God. As Jesus was being celebrated by the crowd during His triumphant entry into Jerusalem His enemies were not happy because they disliked Him and wanted Him persecuted. Apostle Luke recounts that “When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: 38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” 40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” (Luke 19:37-40). When read Luke 19:47-48, we are told “Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. 48 Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.” (Luke 19:47-48) Friend, like Jesus you may be innocent but people will persecute you because they hate you. They will hate you because of the favour and anointing of God upon your life. They will hate and persecute you because you represent the light and the glory of God is upon your life. Indeed, they will hate you because of Christ, for Christ has said “You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. (Matthew 10:22)

Dear friend in Christ, during our innocent suffering and persecution, we must look up to God who is our vindicator and elevator, and put our hope in Him like the suffering servant did in Isaiah when he said “Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. 8 He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me! 9 It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me. Who will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up. (Isaiah 50:7-9) Jesus was also a suffering servant who was vindicated and elevated by God. Jesus has become our perfect example when it comes to the suffering of the innocent person. Peter encourages us to follow the example of Christ when he wrote “If you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. (1 Peter 2:20-21) In addition, Paul greatly encourages us to be humble like Jesus when we suffer innocently for the the reward for suffering innocently is vindication and elevation.  “Therefore God exalted him (Jesus) to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)

Jesus Himself spoke about His suffering, death and resurrection. In other words, we see Jesus’ vindication and elevation through His resurrection when He said “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” (Luke 9:22) Dear friend in the Lord, nothing is too hard for the Lord, although we shall also experience unjust treatment and persecution on account of Christ, we must look forward to the vindication and elevation of the Lord. We shall suffer innocently yet we must remain resolute and be emboldened by Jesus’ assurance of vindication and elevation when He said “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven…” (Matthew 5:11-12)

In summary, we have discovered that Like our Lord and Saviour Jesus, the innocent suffer because of hatred and persecution, however, the innocent will be vindicated and elevated by God in the end. Let us hold onto God through prayer and faith even as we innocently endure hatred, persecution and suffering because of Jesus Christ. May the Holy Spirit strengthen us to follow the example of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who suffered innocently and was vindicated and elevated by God. Amen.