Showing Respect to Others

1. Read: Isaiah 53:7 – “He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.”

2. About the Text:

1) Isaiah wrote about Jesus, 800 years before His trial, “And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth” (Isaiah 53:7b).

2) When most of us are accused, we want to answer back immediately: tit for tat.

3) If we are being treated unjustly, we will let others know for sure what is happening.

4) But this is not how Jesus responded to the false accusations against Him.

5) He did not “talk back” as so many today do.

6) Martin Luther King Junior said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

7) Jesus shows us what kind of character we need to have.

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. In Matthew 8:18-22 two approached Jesus about becoming disciples.

1) Jesus’ response to them was honest and direct.

2) The one didn’t want to leave the comforts of home.

3) The other didn’t want to leave his family ties behind.

4) Jesus told them what was expected of them and let them make a choice.

2. In Matthew 19:16-24 Jesus spoke to a rich young ruler.

1) He told him that if he would be perfect, to sell all he had and give to the poor.

2) This man went away sorrowful, and Jesus respected his decision.

3. In John 6:66-67 we read, “From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you also want to go away?’”

a. Jesus didn’t beg these people to come back.

b. He wanted followers who would follow Him because of the truth He spoke.

4. Jesus believed each person was responsible for their choices.

1. 1 Peter 2:21-23 – “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: ‘Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth’; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.”

2. Matthew 26:62-63 – “And the high priest arose and said to Him, ‘Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?’ But Jesus kept silent….”

3. Matt.27:13-14 “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.”

4. Matthew 27:30-31 – “Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.”

5. How many would have insisted on having a defense?

1. Read Matthew 27:39-44

2. Instead, Luke 23:34: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

3. Even the thief on the cross who mocked him at first later repented.

4. Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43).

5. How many would have condemned those involved for killing an innocent person?

6. How many would have answered hateful words with more hateful words, but Jesus didn’t?

1. Matthew 16:21 – “From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”

2. “And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will” (Mark 14:36).

3. Matthew 26:53 – “Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?”

1. Here is the divine character!

1) He Respected Other People’s Choice.

2) He did not Revile or Threaten Others.

3) He Prayed for Forgiveness for those who Crucified Him.

4) He Honored His Father’s Will.

2. We would do well to have this kind of character in our lives. Invitation.