Christ was in many ways the exact opposite of Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon. Unlike the minor judges, he did not look to promote his own interests by multiplying wives and children. He didn’t flash his wealth or try to spread his fame for political gain. Rather, he grew up like a root out of dry ground; he faced hardship from day one. And unlike Jephthah, he did not defend his own reputation. Instead, when he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but entrusted himself to him who judges justly (1 Peter 2:23). When the chief priests, the scribes, and elders mocked him, saying, He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him (Matthew 27:42), he could have called down more than twelve legions of angels to slay them. But he didn’t. Like a sheep before its shearers, he was silent, letting his name, his reputation be blasphemed for the sake of those he came to save. To give them rest.

And this he did, through the shedding of his blood. A blood that Peter also said is incorruptible, imperishable, unspoiled (1 Peter 1:18–19). Praise God for that. For as incorruptible and imperishable as Christ’s blood is, so incorruptible and imperishable is the rest and salvation that his blood bought for believers.

Our meditating on this will help us avoid falling into personal pride, also when we are attacked or insulted. Our true deliverer, who never dies, sent his Holy Spirit into our lives, and that Spirit never leaves the true believer. And it’s that Spirit who works to keep even our remaining pride in check, so that the one who is in Christ does not ultimately destroy himself and others with his pride.