Isaiah 50:6 “I gave My back to those who strike Me, and My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard; I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting.”
HUMILIATED
Who would willingly stand there and let someone beat them, pluck out their beard and spit on them? Who? Jesus! I know you are going to say, “Well, He had been arrested. He didn’t have a choice.” Oh really?! He was God. He could have called ten thousand angels to defend Him. He could have just spoken and slain His oppressors. Instead, He stood there and took it – for you and me.
I get upset when someone cuts me off in traffic. How would I respond when spit upon? How would I respond if someone pulled out my hair or beard? How would I respond if someone lashed my back? Would I be like Jesus? Can I truly say I could handle the humiliation? That is the question for all of us.
TEACHING MOMENT
How do you apply this verse to your children? Teaching humility is hard. You really just have to model it. Now, I don’t mean you should let your children watch as you are beaten, spit on and have your hair plucked. That would be silly (and painful). I mean, when someone wrongs you in front of your children, remember this verse and respond as Jesus would. Be humble. Be gentle. Let the Lord be your strength.
I’ve said it a hundred times at least – you’ve got to live it out for your kids. They learn best by watching you, not listening to you. When they see you live it out in your own Christian walk they get a glimpse of what you mean. Just telling them won’t cut it, especially when you are talking about humility. Be like Jesus.
I don’t know about you, but this is a hard lesson. I don’t want to be humble. I want to be proud. I want to stand up for myself. I have been spit on, and I did not like it. But if the God of the universe could stand there and take this for me, I should be willing to suffer for Him. Will you?
A Moment In Time 