He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he opened not his mouth.  (Isaiah 53:7)

Isaiah uses the phrase “he opened not his mouth” twice in this sentence, and I think that is worth pondering.  The English translation is great, but note that the Hebrew is virtually identical as well between the two instances:

 

 

 

 

When attacked, the human response is to argue back with greater force.  Jesus didn’t open His mouth at all, and Isaiah prophesied that He wouldn’t 700 years before Jesus was attacked.

Μόνο ο Χριστός:  In Christ Alone

When others attack you, it may be that they are hurting.  Listen to what they say:  other people are a mirror and there just may be some truth in what they are saying, as harsh as it may be.  Follow Jesus’ instruction in Luke 6:27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you”.  Through the power of Christ:

– Do good to those who hate you (Luke 6:27)

– Overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21)

 

 

 

 

Posted in Fighting, Jesus, Suffering