“And the chief priests accused him of many things.” (Mark 15:3, ESV)
When Jesus was put on trial, we know now that He was innocent. He had done nothing wrong. Still, our scripture confesses that “the chief priests accused him [Jesus] of many things” (Mark 15:3). Ultimately, the accusations were used to condemn Jesus. The accusers made sure an innocent man was “dealt with”. Don’t you find it interesting that Jesus had been accused of “many things”?
It is not uncommon for accusers to “do someone dirty”, to make a person appear guilty when they are not. They use rumor, innuendo, bribery, bullying, gossip, and much more to railroad an innocent person. In the scripture today, even Jewish religious figures (“chief priests”) used dirty tactics to force their will upon the situation. Because Jesus had done nothing wrong (even Pilate and Herod confirmed this in Luke 23:13-16), Jesus’ accusers had to fabricate lies in order to pin a charge on Jesus.
How was it that while Jesus was forced to be on trial, no witnesses were brought forward for His defense? In her meditational book, Anne Graham Lotz wrote, “Many accusers blamed Him [Jesus] for treason- but where was the blind man He’d given sight? Where was the leper He had cleansed? The adulterous woman He had forgiven? Where were they?” (p. 118, Fixing My Eyes on Jesus). The accusations were false. The charges were trumped up lies. The trial was a sham. Yet, the accusers won the day. They had Jesus condemned to die upon a cross.
Don’t for one moment think that accusers will never railroad you with trumped up charges. It has happened to me more than a dozen times in my life. It won’t matter to the accusers if you are innocent. They don’t want a fair trial. They don’t want the truth to be told. They want to shut you up, destroy your reputation, put you down, silence you.
Just this morning I was sent an email by a pastor friend. He has been a pastor for four decades. His heart is in the right place. He loves God. He wants desperately to save souls and show mercy. Recently, this pastor chaired a committee meeting where he questioned members withholding important data from the church. He spoke vehemently against it. My pastor friend wanted the members and the church to be honest, truthful, and deal with the reality of their situation. After the meeting, a man from the committee approached him privately. He whispered to the pastor, “This isn’t worth your time. Let it go. Keep your mouth shut. Everything will blow over. You don’t want to shake things up, do you?” The committee member sounds very much like the High Priest Caiaphas who spoke before Jesus’ crucifixion: “it is better that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.”” (John 11:50, ESV). Accusers work well with people who want to stifle the truth.
The Bible is not sympathetic whatsoever to lying accusers. In fact, the Ten Commandments include a law against it… “You shalt not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16). What you may not know is that Satan is well-known as a lying accuser. In Revelation 12:10, Satan is quoted as “an accuser of the brethren”. In the Bible, Satan is also named as “the Deceiver” and “the Devil (which means “slanderer”). Is it any wonder Satan is good at accusing the innocent and hiding the truth?
Accusers tried to silence many in the Bible. In Genesis, Joseph is wrongfully accused of rape and sexual assault of Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39). Amaziah, the High Priest of Bethel, accused Amos of treason and conspiracy in an attempt to silence his words to the King (Amos 7:10). In Acts 6, Stephen was accused of blasphemy of Moses and stoned. Lying accusers tried to murder Paul in Acts 23. Throughout the Bible, trumped up charges were placed against faithful people time and time again. I’m sure Satan was behind all of it.
In this holy week, I ask that you take time to look at God’s truth. Don’t lie to yourself. Don’t let lying accusers twist the truth in your presence. And don’t be surprised if you aren’t accused of doing something wrong when you are innocent. Jesus said that “The truth will set you free!” (John 8:32). Accusers don’t care about the truth. They just care about getting their way. They don’t care whom they need to trample, whom they must silence. They don’t care if the innocent are hurt. Lying accusers are found in the church. In the Bible, some are even high priests! Be careful whom you listen to. Trust in God’s truth. Seek God’s justice.
Be fully aware that when you start standing up for God’s truth, Satan will put a target on your back. Accusers will come out of the woodwork looking for people like you. Stand faithfully when challenged. Be loving when bullied. Hold fast to Jesus when accusations are thrown at you. Be like Jesus! Yes, you may suffer for telling the truth. Yes, liars may have their way. Yes, accusers often get their way for a time. BUT God is the ultimate judge. You can bet your future on that fact!
God blessed all those in scripture who faced lying accusers faithfully. Every last one. If you remain faithful while lied about, God will also bless you. Every single time. You may have to face derision for sticking to the truth. You may have to face suffering even when innocent. BUT God is with you all the way. Remain faithful even when others around you are faithless.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Blessed Lord my God! I come to You today seeking strength. Life is not easy. I have decisions to make. Trials and temptations cloud my judgment. The forces of evil attempt to hide the truth from me. I will endeavor to follow Your will. I have a deep desire to obey Your word. I don’t want to let Jesus down. Keep me on that narrow road that leads to eternal life in Your Kingdom.
I thank You for Jesus’ truthfulness. I am blessed by His love. I trust in the mercy and forgiveness that He professed. He has redeemed my soul!
Today, I pray for our world. It is rife with sinfulness. People believe lies. They have twisted holy truths. Manipulations abound. Vengeance is often swift. Forgiveness and mercy are rare. Judgment and cruelty rule the day. Our world needs the gospel desperately. Let those who are holy find their place by Your side, Blessed Lord.
During this Holy Week, show me ways to be more loving. Let my words overflow with Your truth. Let me be an example for Jesus in everything I do. Amen.
It is not uncommon for accusers to “do someone dirty”, to make a person appear guilty when they are not. They use rumor, innuendo, bribery, bullying, gossip, and much more to railroad an innocent person. In the scripture today, even Jewish religious figures (“chief priests”) used dirty tactics to force their will upon the situation. Because Jesus had done nothing wrong (even Pilate and Herod confirmed this in Luke 23:13-16), Jesus’ accusers had to fabricate lies in order to pin a charge on Jesus.
How was it that while Jesus was forced to be on trial, no witnesses were brought forward for His defense? In her meditational book, Anne Graham Lotz wrote, “Many accusers blamed Him [Jesus] for treason- but where was the blind man He’d given sight? Where was the leper He had cleansed? The adulterous woman He had forgiven? Where were they?” (p. 118, Fixing My Eyes on Jesus). The accusations were false. The charges were trumped up lies. The trial was a sham. Yet, the accusers won the day. They had Jesus condemned to die upon a cross.
Don’t for one moment think that accusers will never railroad you with trumped up charges. It has happened to me more than a dozen times in my life. It won’t matter to the accusers if you are innocent. They don’t want a fair trial. They don’t want the truth to be told. They want to shut you up, destroy your reputation, put you down, silence you.
Just this morning I was sent an email by a pastor friend. He has been a pastor for four decades. His heart is in the right place. He loves God. He wants desperately to save souls and show mercy. Recently, this pastor chaired a committee meeting where he questioned members withholding important data from the church. He spoke vehemently against it. My pastor friend wanted the members and the church to be honest, truthful, and deal with the reality of their situation. After the meeting, a man from the committee approached him privately. He whispered to the pastor, “This isn’t worth your time. Let it go. Keep your mouth shut. Everything will blow over. You don’t want to shake things up, do you?” The committee member sounds very much like the High Priest Caiaphas who spoke before Jesus’ crucifixion: “it is better that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.”” (John 11:50, ESV). Accusers work well with people who want to stifle the truth.
The Bible is not sympathetic whatsoever to lying accusers. In fact, the Ten Commandments include a law against it… “You shalt not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16). What you may not know is that Satan is well-known as a lying accuser. In Revelation 12:10, Satan is quoted as “an accuser of the brethren”. In the Bible, Satan is also named as “the Deceiver” and “the Devil (which means “slanderer”). Is it any wonder Satan is good at accusing the innocent and hiding the truth?
Accusers tried to silence many in the Bible. In Genesis, Joseph is wrongfully accused of rape and sexual assault of Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39). Amaziah, the High Priest of Bethel, accused Amos of treason and conspiracy in an attempt to silence his words to the King (Amos 7:10). In Acts 6, Stephen was accused of blasphemy of Moses and stoned. Lying accusers tried to murder Paul in Acts 23. Throughout the Bible, trumped up charges were placed against faithful people time and time again. I’m sure Satan was behind all of it.
In this holy week, I ask that you take time to look at God’s truth. Don’t lie to yourself. Don’t let lying accusers twist the truth in your presence. And don’t be surprised if you aren’t accused of doing something wrong when you are innocent. Jesus said that “The truth will set you free!” (John 8:32). Accusers don’t care about the truth. They just care about getting their way. They don’t care whom they need to trample, whom they must silence. They don’t care if the innocent are hurt. Lying accusers are found in the church. In the Bible, some are even high priests! Be careful whom you listen to. Trust in God’s truth. Seek God’s justice.
Be fully aware that when you start standing up for God’s truth, Satan will put a target on your back. Accusers will come out of the woodwork looking for people like you. Stand faithfully when challenged. Be loving when bullied. Hold fast to Jesus when accusations are thrown at you. Be like Jesus! Yes, you may suffer for telling the truth. Yes, liars may have their way. Yes, accusers often get their way for a time. BUT God is the ultimate judge. You can bet your future on that fact!
God blessed all those in scripture who faced lying accusers faithfully. Every last one. If you remain faithful while lied about, God will also bless you. Every single time. You may have to face derision for sticking to the truth. You may have to face suffering even when innocent. BUT God is with you all the way. Remain faithful even when others around you are faithless.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Blessed Lord my God! I come to You today seeking strength. Life is not easy. I have decisions to make. Trials and temptations cloud my judgment. The forces of evil attempt to hide the truth from me. I will endeavor to follow Your will. I have a deep desire to obey Your word. I don’t want to let Jesus down. Keep me on that narrow road that leads to eternal life in Your Kingdom.
I thank You for Jesus’ truthfulness. I am blessed by His love. I trust in the mercy and forgiveness that He professed. He has redeemed my soul!
Today, I pray for our world. It is rife with sinfulness. People believe lies. They have twisted holy truths. Manipulations abound. Vengeance is often swift. Forgiveness and mercy are rare. Judgment and cruelty rule the day. Our world needs the gospel desperately. Let those who are holy find their place by Your side, Blessed Lord.
During this Holy Week, show me ways to be more loving. Let my words overflow with Your truth. Let me be an example for Jesus in everything I do. Amen.