Who Struck You?

Who Struck You?

⁶⁷ Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands, ⁶⁸ saying, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?”

Matthew 26:67-68

How should a child of God behave? How should a religious leader behave? How should someone who claims to know and follow God’s law behave? I’m sure that everyone would have a slightly different answer to those questions but hopefully no one would say what is written in these verses. Even if the man they had before them was a thief, liar and blasphemer, a true worshiper of God would still not have behaved as these so called learned men. Not only do they unlawfully strike, mock and degrade Jesus but then they mock God by foolishly speaking of prophesying and calling him Christ.

It wouldn’t be too far of a stretch to believe that Satan was within these men’s hearts and urging them to do what they were. Although it’s not specifically mentioned in scripture, their actions are clearly a sign of this. Which then gives us a big warning. It is possible to be part of God’s true church, which Judaism still was in this moment, and still be completely lost to the devil. Just because you sit in a church, doesn’t mean that you are suddenly immune to making bad decisions and going down the wrong path.

What truly troubles me is the steady increase of anger that I see not just out in the world but within the church as well. People, more and more, are not showing patience, love and empathy. Paul was right when he prophesied about our future.

¹ But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: ² For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³ unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, ⁴ traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

1 Timothy 3:1-5

I don’t believe that these verses are pointing to the future anymore. We are living this reality. And so I then ask those first questions again. How should a child of God behave? Are you living up to the standard set by God or are you letting Satan blind your sin by appearing to make it seem as if you’re doing the will of God? These religious leaders, with all the knowledge of God’s Word, found themselves completely blind. They did Satan’s bidding while thinking they were doing God’s. Make sure you are not going in the same direction.

God bless,

Pr. Steven Couto