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1 Peter 2:22<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth”;<\/span><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Truth to Learn<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Jesus Christ is the perfect example of patient suffering.<\/p>\n Behind the Words<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The word translated \u201csin<\/span>\u201d is hamartia<\/span><\/em>, which literally means \u201cto miss the mark.\u201d In our case the mark is God-like perfection. Hence, we see that to sin means to do something that is not God-like.<\/p>\n \u201cDeceit<\/span>\u201d is translated from the Greek word dolos<\/span><\/em>,<\/span> which comes from an obsolete primary word dello<\/span><\/em>, probably meaning \u201cto decoy.\u201d Some versions of the Bible translate this as \u201cguile.\u201d<\/p>\n Meaning Explained<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Jesus Christ lived His entire life without sinning! He didn\u2019t even \u201cshade the truth,\u201d as we sometimes do, so as to say one thing but make others think he was saying something else. He was completely open and honest without trickery of any kind.<\/p>\n And yet He was tortured unmercifully, treated like the commonest of criminals, condemned at three illegal Jewish trials without proper testimony against him, and declared innocent at two civil trials. In spite of being declared innocent, He was stripped of his dignity as well as his clothing; beaten with the dreaded scourge until his back was shredded and bleeding; kept overnight without sleep, food, or water; forced to carry the heavy instrument of his own torture; then hung in the hot sun under the agonizing torture of crucifixion. And, as if that wasn\u2019t enough, the sins of all mankind were thrust upon him, and he was deserted by God the Father for three hours while he hung alone under the weight of our sins, having already prayed, \u201cFather forgive them, for they don\u2019t know what they\u2019re doing.\u201d<\/p>\n At his trial under Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor marveled at His lack of self defense:<\/p>\n And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing. Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.<\/span> (Matthew 27:12-14<\/span><\/strong>)<\/p>\n He could have proclaimed His innocence, for He truly was. He could have struck out in fury with the very power of creation against those who were wrongfully torturing Him. He could have simply stepped down from the cross, proving the innocence that was His alone. Those who were present while Christ suffered for us even mocked Him, challenging Him to prove He is the Christ by coming down from the cross:<\/p>\n And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build<\/span> it<\/span><\/em> in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”<\/span> (Matthew 27:39-40<\/span><\/strong>)<\/p>\n Instead, He suffered patiently, for you and for me.<\/p>\n Application<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Think of this the next time you are wrongfully accused, and accept it, knowing that this is pleasing with God. Do not attempt to glorify yourself; instead, glorify God by being silently obedient.<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\n Copyright \u00a9 2008 Will Krause. All rights reserved.<\/span><\/p>\n – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –<\/p>\n <\/span>If this message or this link was forwarded to you by a friend and you wish to receive future verses directly to your inbox, you can call the church phone (618) 614-3070 and leave a message telling us your name and e-mail address or you can send an e-mail to:![\"signature\"](\"..\/..\/signature.gif\")
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