The prophet Isaiah asked the question of the suffering servant “who of his generation protested”? And so we ask the same question “who protested at the time of Jesus' illegal trial and execution?” Of course, the answer to that was no one. No one stood up at the trial to support Jesus. There were one hundred and twenty believers at that first Pentecost day after Jesus had risen but not one of them stood up to object to the trial. Of all these supporters, Jesus had three special friends; Peter, James, and John. They didn’t stand up either.
We all know what happened at the trial and we all know about Peter’s denials, but little is mentioned about the other disciple who was there. John records that “Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there, and brought Peter in.” It seems to me that this other disciple got off quite lightly. A great deal has been made about Peter for his sins of commission, but I cannot recall anyone discussing or condemning the other disciple for his sins of omission. Of course, denying Jesus is much more in your face than simply not saying anything. But I wonder why questions were not directed at the other disciple as well as Peter? What we do know is that the other disciple was present and could have stood up in Jesus' defence but didn’t. The sad reality is that nothing is said about this disciple because we can all understand him, we have even kept his shoes warm for him. Thankfully, God doesn’t need our help but He does want us to help.
However, God has a lot to say about the sins of omission. In the book of Proverbs, the author wrote “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in your power to act” and “Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.” The other disciple certainly withheld good from Jesus when he could have acted. To those of us who pass a homeless person on the street, we have been warned, that when we cry out for help don’t be surprised if no one answers our plea. I know a man who passed a beggar on the street on his way home. The man stopped, went back, and asked the beggar if he wanted a meal. The beggar replied affirmatively. The two men went to the local pub and the man asked the beggar what he wanted, then he went to the bar, ordered the meal, and left. However, that was not the end. As he was going home, he went into the local hotel and booked a bed and breakfast for a night for the man. When he got the keys to the room, he went back to the pub and handed the room keys to the beggar. How many of us would do that? John in his first letter wrote “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” Yes, our love is to be shown by our actions, when we stand up. Let’s be counted when we defend the defenceless, and when we stand up and defend our faith. Let’s be like George Muller who took care of the orphans. George Muller looked after 10,000 orphans, and at its peak, George was looking after 2000 at one time.
Not once, I repeat, not once did George Muller ask for money to look after the orphans. He went to the source of the money and prayed. He prayed each day for food for the children, and the food came, daily. The food came daily, just like the time of Moses when the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness. For forty years, approximately 2000000 people wandered in the wilderness. And each day God provided their food. Moses records, “The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan.” Today, who is in need in your area of influence? Then reach out to them and don’t commit the sin of omission! Today we have foodbanks in several churches, so just providing a few cans of food will make a difference. Can someone provide essential toiletries and give them to the local foodbank?
Jesus was put on trial at a kangaroo court. No one stood by him. Today, we have Christians on trial for their faith. Who is standing by them? In the USA, we see the ADF working hard, and in the UK, Christian Concern is doing exceptional work, but they can’t do it all by themselves. They need our help. What about Africa, What about Asia? Barnabas Aid is there, but again they need our help.
Today, seek God’s face. Where does He want you to stand up and be counted? We live in a world where people are facing injustice. They need our help, will you give it
