I'm posting a short section from the book from Chapter 5, page 72 below. And below that some questions that are raised throughout from the chapter.
He Answered Nothing
Then further, He was the silent Lamb. “Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep before its shearers in silent, so he opened not his mouth” (Isa. 53:7). Facing the calumnies [defamations] of men, we read, “He gave no answer” (Matt. 27:12). He never defended Himself or explained Himself.
But we have been anything but silent when others have said unkind or untrue things about us.
Our voices have been loud in self-defense and self-vindication, and there has been anger in our voices. We have excused ourselves when we should have frankly admitted our wrong.
On every such occasion, the Dove had to take His flight and withdraw His peace and blessing from our hearts because we were not willing to be the silent lamb.
List of questions to ponder from Chapter 5:
He Answered Nothing
Then further, He was the silent Lamb. “Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep before its shearers in silent, so he opened not his mouth” (Isa. 53:7). Facing the calumnies [defamations] of men, we read, “He gave no answer” (Matt. 27:12). He never defended Himself or explained Himself.
But we have been anything but silent when others have said unkind or untrue things about us.
Our voices have been loud in self-defense and self-vindication, and there has been anger in our voices. We have excused ourselves when we should have frankly admitted our wrong.
On every such occasion, the Dove had to take His flight and withdraw His peace and blessing from our hearts because we were not willing to be the silent lamb.
List of questions to ponder from Chapter 5:
- Am I willing to be stripped of my rights and all that I have for Christ? Remember the last chapter: Compare the things I may be stripped of in this lifetime with the treasure I’ll gain in the eternal Kingdom of my Lord, God and King, Jesus Christ?
- Do I have rights?
- Am I willing to be stripped of all that I have?
- Do I demand respect and dignity from the world? From other Christians?
- Do I defend myself?
- Do I defend myself even when I know I was wrong?
- How important is it to me to be dignified?
- How important is it to me to be vindicated? Even dignified?
- Do I hold a grudge toward those who have done me wrong?
- Am I willing to forgive even if another doesn’t deserve it (remember the servant that was forgiven much only to refuse to forgive the little owed him)?
- Does being forgiven make me worthy or deserving of new rights, apart for the promise of eternal life?
- What goes through my mind when I consider that the Lord Jesus Christ will bear the scars because of my sin for eternity?
- When will I be willing to live free of the sin that holds me back from confession, apologies, reconciliations, and restitutions?