In reflecting on the mockery and trial of Jesus in Luke 22, we see the profound power of His restraint and His unwavering commitment to the Father’s mission. We recognize that while we often feel a natural impulse to defend ourselves and lash out when treated unfairly, Jesus chose the path of silence and submission, trusting that God’s plan for redemption was greater than His current suffering. We understand that this “endgame” was not a result of weakness, but of a deliberate “not my will, but yours” posture that prioritized the salvation of the world over personal safety. Ultimately, we find encouragement for our own difficult paths—whether they involve health, finances, or relationships—by looking to the example of Christ, who trusted in the beauty of the final destination even when the road was paved with trials.

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Good morning! I hope you are staying as warm and safe as possible today. It’s a sobering reminder that while some of us can hunker down with “snow snacks,” many of our neighbors—especially in Northeast Mississippi around Ripley and Oxford—are still in the thick of a very difficult situation. We continue to pray for their protection and for those without adequate shelter in this freezing cold.

Today we conclude Luke 22 (verses 63–71). We have moved from the quiet, agonizing prayer of the garden to the loud, chaotic mockery of the trial.

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The Strength of Silence: A Reflection on Luke 22:63–71

In the final verses of this chapter, we see the religious leaders and the guards beginning their assault on Jesus. They blindfold Him, beat Him, and mockingly ask Him to “prophesy” who hit Him. When daylight comes, they bring Him before the Council—the Sanhedrin—and demand to know if He is the Messiah.

The Temptation to “Swing Back”

Think about how hard it is to stay silent when you are being treated unfairly. Most of us will come out swinging to defend ourselves even when we know we’re in the wrong! How much harder is it to remain still when you are 100% in the right?

Jesus knew He was the Messiah. He knew He was the Son of God. He could have articulated a defense that would have made the greatest orators in history look like amateurs. He could have called down legions of angels or simply spoken a word and ended the mockery. But He didn’t.

“If I tell you, you will not believe; and if I question you, you will not answer.” (Luke 22:67-68)

Trusting the “Endgame”

Jesus wasn’t being passive; He was being purposeful. He had already prayed, “Not my will, but yours,” and now He was walking out that commitment. He understood that this was the “endgame”—the path of redemption required Him to endure the mockery, the beating, and the false accusations.

He didn’t need to defend His integrity to people whose minds were already made up. He knew that the Father’s plan was bigger than the current moment of pain.

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When the Path is One You Wouldn’t Choose

We all face “trials” where we feel belittled, misunderstood, or overwhelmed by circumstances.

• It might be a health crisis where the road ahead looks long and dark.
• It might be financial or marital stress where you feel like you’re being “beaten” by the world.
• It might be the sheer uncertainty of how everything is going to work out.

In those moments, our pride compels us to fight back, to lash out, or to quit. But Jesus models a different ethic for us. He shows us that when the “cards are stacked against us,” we can trust in the character of God even when we can’t see the outcome.

Jesus trusted that the end of the road would be beautiful, even if the road itself was a walk to a cross. He stayed focused on the mission of redemption because He knew His Father was at the end of the journey.