Self-Control

February 17

Exodus 37-38

Psalm 22:22-26

Proverbs 5:15-17

Matthew 27:24-44

Self-Control

“In the same way the chief priests, the teachers and the elders mocked Him.  ‘He saved others,’ they said, ‘but He can’t save Himself!  He’s the King of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him.  He trusts in God.  Let God rescue Him now if He wants Him, for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.” 

Matthew 27:41-43 NIV

Throughout His ministry, Jesus exhibited incredible self-control, but it was never as evident as when He hung on the cross.  In agonizing pain and unbearable sorrow, He listened as He was mocked and insulted.  He quietly watched as His family, His disciples, and His followers had to endure the pain of seeing their leader murdered and their hopes and dreams dashed.  He could have called 10,000 angels to come down and put an end to it all.  He could have taken over as an earthly king and shown them that everything He said was true.  He could have spoken a word and all the chief priests, teachers and elders would have dropped dead.  But that was not His Father’s plan.  Jesus was completely and wholly committed to obeying His Father.  The satisfaction of being proven right was not as important as providing salvation for a lost and dying world.  Taking away the pain His friends and family were experiencing was not as important as providing a way through which you and I might be redeemed.  Easing His own pain and agony was not as important as exhibiting His love for us through His sacrificial death. 

Not defending yourself and keeping your mouth shut is often criticized as being weak and cowardly.  Jesus provides an excellent example of the strength and love exhibited by self-control.  May we follow Jesus’ example of being completely and wholly committed to obeying God.