He Trusted in His God

Scripture Reading: Matthew 27:43

Not everything that comes out of a liar’s mouth is a lie. Not everything one’s enemies say is false. Even when it is meant to defame, there is some comfort in knowing that even slander can have an element of praise. Jesus' experience is a good example of this principle.

Jesus’ enemies weren’t patting Him on the back when they said, “He trusts in God.” They thought they were taking a verbal sledgehammer to Jesus’ faith by saying these kinds of things. It was meant to demonstrate the folly of Jesus’ faith. “Let God deliver him now,” was the second half of that sentence. It was the half that was meant to strike a blow to Jesus’ heart and create shame in those who followed Him.

It was true - that part about “He trusts in God.” The Scriptures tell us that Jesus trusted in God from His mother’s breasts (Psalm 22:9). Ironically, that is the same Psalm that prophetically predicts the charge of Matthew 27:43. Psalm 22:8 says, “He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!” If that is the best slander your enemy can come up with, you’re doing well.

That is also the same Psalm that echoes the plaintive cry from the darkness, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me.”

So, Jesus’ and His executioners agreed on at least two points. First, Jesus trusted in His God. Second, He was abandoned to crucifixion by His God. What they disagreed on was how to interpret those two points. His accusers believed it meant that either Jesus’ faith in God was in vain, or that God had rejected Him despite His faith. Either Jesus was foolish to put His faith in His God, or His God was displeased with Him and His faith. In either case, “He trusts in God,” was not meant as a high praise for Jesus’ religious views.

For Jesus’ part, He felt the sting of the dark abandonment. He also kept faith in His Father. He trusted the purpose for His suffering would be accomplished, He would be rescued from death, others would be saved, and God would be glorified. He did so because He trusted in His God, and His trust wasn’t diminished by His suffering.

Same facts, different conclusions.

You can agree with your enemies' facts, but you don’t have to agree with what they think those facts mean. Their deductions don’t have to be your conclusions.

Suffering, trials, darkness, and even death are not sure signs that your faith has failed or that your God has abandoned you to a hopeless end. Our present circumstances don’t get to have the final say. God has the final say. You find what He says in the promises of His word, not in the problems of this world.