In trying to take in this climax of Jesus' earthly life as recorded by Matthew, I am struck by the fact that Jesus just took it.  He had clearly confounded the religious leaders in the temple just days before.  But now He is silent in the trial before Pilate. 

I've always seen that as fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 53:7- "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened ot 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."

Yet, there is more here.  Jesus is not just silent to fulfill the prophecy.  Jesus is intentionally withholding His superior verbal skills.  This is a proceeding, a miscarriage of justice, that must occur.  For Jesus is going to die for you and me.  So, He just takes it.

Then, off to Golgotha He goes.  He refuses the drug mixture, mercifully intended to deaden the pain.  Instead, He just takes it.  He cries from the cross of the God-forsakenness of enduring hell for you and me.  He just takes it.  Then, He gives up His life.  He just takes it.

Then,...Easter...He just won it...for you and me.  Hallelujah!

Scripture Reading: Matt. 27-28 (ESV)

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