Self-Denial
Mark 14:57-62
57 And some stood up and bore false witness against him, saying, 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.’” 59 Yet even about this their testimony did not agree. 60 And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?”[g] 61 But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” 62 And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
What does it really mean to deny yourself? We know that is a vaguely Christian phrase, something that Jesus calls His disciples to. We may have some conception of denying ourselves in terms of not eating something we shouldn’t, or choosing to do what someone else wants to do instead of what we want. But what does Jesus mean when He tells His disciples to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him?
I like to think about self-denial like this. It is the willingness to give up possessions, desires, and/or status to more faithfully be like and follow Jesus.
I talked on Sunday about how challenging that is and some ways you and I can practice that self-denial in our modern lives, but for this devotional I want to look at Jesus’ example of self-denial.
It starts with false witness, people lying about what Jesus has said so the court can punish Him. Already I would have failed to deny myself, and if you’re honest I think many of you could say the same. We HATE being falsely accused of anything, even something so small as eating the last cookie or not replacing the toilet paper roll. Imagine people standing up and attacking your character or the character of someone you love? But Jesus stays silent and chooses self-denial even for this.
Even when challenged by an authority figure, someone who commands respect and has great influence on society (or in your case maybe at work or in your neighborhood, school, or social circle), Jesus still remains silent and denies Himself the “right” to answer and defend Himself.
But self-denial is not always passive or silent. When the high priest finally asks Jesus a genuine question, Jesus could continue to stay silent. He could dodge the question. But instead he answers simply and honestly, without mocking or harshness, even though he knows what it will lead to. He does this because He knows the Father’s plan involves Him giving His life as a ransom for many, and so even though it is unfair, unjust, and infuriating, the court must have a reason to condemn Him.
Sometimes self-denial requires us to stand firm even when we know it’s risky, or to be honest about what we believe when our instinct screams to lie or dodge the question.
