Isaiah 53:7
"He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth."
Prophesy became reality when, as Christ was being interrogated, He, on several occasions, kept silent, rather than state a defence. "Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, 'Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?' But Jesus remained silent." Matthew 26:62-63. This account is also recorded in Mark 14:60-61.
"When He was accused by the chief priests and the elders he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked Him, 'Don't you hear how many things they are accusing you of?' But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge - to the great amazement of the governor." Matthew 27:12-14. This account changes in Mark 15:3-5, in that it identifies the 'governor', "But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed."
In Luke's account, Herod "plied Him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer." Luke 23:9. In John's account, "The Jews insisted, '...He must die, because He claimed to be the Son of God.' When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. 'Where do you come from?' he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. 'Do you refuse to speak to me?' Pilate said. 'Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?' " John 19:7-10.
Pilate's question, "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" (verse 10) was as though he was reminding Jesus who was in charge. "Jesus, I control your destiny. Your life is in my hands." He seemed to say.
At this point Jesus did reply, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above." (verse 11). During one of Jesus' many public discussions, He had established that His death would be strictly voluntary. "The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life - only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father." John 10:17-18. Should we expect any different from the One who stated at the time of His ascention, "All authority (power - KJV) in heaven and on earth has been given to me." Matthew 28:18.
With the sufferings of Isaiah 53 and His death on the cross, Jesus voluntarily "bore our sins in His body on the tree" (1 Peter 2:24) to pay the penalty for our sin and rebellion. Christ gave His blood "once for all" (Hebrews 9:11-14). "So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people." Hebrews 9:28. "He sacrificed for their sins once for all when He offered Himself." Hebrews 7:27b.
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May God speak to your heart! Bob Conar