Witness Under Pressure
From Anguish to Hope
From Anguish to Hope is a seven-part devotional series following Jesus’ journey from the Garden of Gethsemane to Calvary. As He faced anguish, betrayal, suffering, and silence, He walked a road many of us know all too well. Because Jesus has already traveled that road, we can make our way from anguish to hope.
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And those who passed by blasphemed Him, saying, You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross. Matthew 27: 39-40
A popular candy commercial once showed people acting wildly out of character and ended with the tagline, You’re not you when you’re hungry. It’s true. Some of us become cranky, irritable, and impatient when we’re hungry. And when we’re tired or under stress? Our reactions can be sharp, defensive, even unkind.
Jesus was splayed on the cross—naked, crowned with thorns, shamed before His mother, friends, church leaders, and strangers. The Bible says people passing by mocked Him. The chief priests and elders cursed Him. And to make it worse, the criminals crucified beside Him joined in the ridicule.
Whatever happened to misery loves company? How would you respond? Would you defend yourself? Would you fight back?
Can you imagine being mocked by people suffering right alongside you? Jesus was—and yet, He responded in love. He was a witness under pressure.
Your test, your circumstance, is never just for you.
Someone is always watching. Your response could be the difference in where another soul spends eternity.
Jesus’ response made an eternal difference for one of the robbers who believed and was accepted into paradise (Luke 23:42–43), and for the centurion who proclaimed, Truly this Man was the Son of God (Mark 15:39).
Resolve today to be a witness under pressure.
