DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 22 to 23:8; Joel 3; Luke 12:22-40
Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me? John 18:23
No one is able to attribute evil words to the Lord Jesus. Even when officers were sent to arrest Him, they returned empty-handed, excusing themselves with the assertion “Never man spake like this man” (John 7:46). The few words that Christ uttered at His trials before both Jews and Gentiles were peerless indicators of His innocence. What is more, His statements from the cross manifested divine love, mercy, and holiness (in contrast to the reviling spectators and the cursing malefactors). The Father registered His verdict on His Son’s words and works by raising Him from the dead and exalting Him to His own right hand (Acts 2:33, 36). —K. R. Keyser
Never more shall God, Jehovah, smite the Shepherd with the sword;
Ne’er again shall cruel sinners set at nought our glorious Lord.—S. C. Chapman