Jesus is silent! First before the Sanhedrin and now before Pilate and those bringing charges against Him. Why?
Is it detachment? Acquiescence? Despair?
When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, "Don't you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?" But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.
Along with Pilate, we too are amazed. Why doesn’t Jesus defend Himself? At least win a few verbal rounds!
No way! Our Teacher is living out what He taught. Didn’t He say that we shouldn’t be anxious because our Heavenly Father knows what we need and will respond?
And we remember a sermon in which He said whoever tries to save his life will lose it and whoever loses his life will save it!
And then there was that about loving enemies and praying for them. And wasn’t there something else about agreeing with your adversaries and even turning the other cheek?
Everything Jesus taught is on the line! The Teacher chooses to stand by His ideals, proving they work, are viable, will stand up even in the worst of times. Otherwise, it’s all been for nothing!
And isn't this the silence glimpsed by the prophet Isaiah?
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
It’s an impressively splendid thing to behold – this silence of the Lamb.
The Parisees had tried to stump him.
ReplyDeleteThey couldn't.
The Saducees Tried to stump him.
They couldn't.
The two groups that didn't get along tried together to trip him up.
They couldn't.
The chief priests tried. Same result.
All were silenced.
So Jesus asked them a question.
None could answer.
Had Jesus defended himself...
He would have walked away.
As it is, with Jesus' silence
Pilot will declare,
"I find no fault in this man."
I am convinced.
Jesus could have sucessfully defended himself...
but that wasn't the plan.
The plan was for him to fulfill the prophets.
He considered the needs of others, above his own.
He humbled himself.
Became a servant.
Obedient to God
To the point of death, even death on a cross.
Therefore his name has been exalted.
And eventually - every knee will bow
to the Glory of God the Father. (Phil 2:3-11)
The Teacher knew the plan.
The Teacher didn't waiver.
The Teacher knew ... we needed it!