As we are studying through Mark fifteen, I am just as amazed as Pilate when I see Jesus remain quite before His accusers.

 

“And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing. And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? Behold how many things they witness against thee. But Jesus yet answered nothing; so Pilate marvelled.” (Mark 15:3-5)

 

This is not a natural human response. Most people try to defend themselves whether they are guilty or not. We know that Jesus was innocent. Jesus knew He was innocent. He also knew that His Father knew He was innocent. There was no need for Him to defend Himself. There is an amazing truth to learn from our Lord here.

 

David found himself being falsely accused in Psalm seven. Psalm seven is known as “The Psalm of the slandered Saint.” David writes this psalm concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite. Cush had falsely accused David. Take a moment and read this short psalm.

 

O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me: Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver. O LORD my God, If I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands; If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:) Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah. Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded. So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high. The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me. Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins. My defense is of God, which saveth the upright in heart. God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors. Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood. He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate. I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high. (Psalm 7:1-17)

 

As we meditate on this passage, we notice a few practical things to remember when we are slandered:

 

The first one is found in verse one. David cried out to God. Prayer should be our first response when we are falsely accused. It is what we see Jesus doing in the garden before He stands before Pilate.

The second thing we see is David putting His trust in God. Like Jesus, he knew that God is not moved by false accusations. The Father sees all and knows all. We can trust in Him. He knows the truth.

The third thing David did in verses three through five was search his own heart concerning this matter. It is easy to be hypocritical when we are hurt. Hurt people often hurt other people. We need to ask ourselves if we are guilty of the same crime. If so, there is no better time to repent because we can relate to the pain we’ve caused.

The forth thing we see in verse eight, is David recognizing that God is the judge of the people. Man is not the judge. Mans opinion is not final. God will have the last word not the false accuser.

In verse ten, we see the fifth truth. David declares, “My defense is of God.” What an amazing truth to rest in. This is where we see Jesus. He is completely at peace before His false accusers. They were not in control of Jesus destiny. The Father was working out His plan. The same is true for you and me. God has a plan for our lives, and man can not hinder it. Praise the Lord for His defense!

The sixth truth is found in verses fourteen through sixteen with David’s description of his accuser. David knew that Cush would fall into the pit he had dug for himself. God has a way of making things backfire on the one who strikes the match. The Bible is full of examples of this.

The seventh and last truth is found in verse seventeen. David will not defend himself. He will not point a finger back. He will not stoop to the level of Cush. What will he do? He will praise the Lord! He is going to sing praise to the name of the Lord most high. David had learned to keep his eyes on the Lord. Jesus tells us to do this.

 

“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Matthew 5:11, 12)

 

We know from Revelation 12:10 that Satan is the accuser of the brethren. The question is not will we be accused. The question is when and how often. It is going to happen. He will sometimes use those who are close to us. Christians even do his dirty work at times.