Silent

View daily reading plan: Matt 27.11- 14; Isaiah 53.7

If someone accuses you unjustly, most likely you would protest and give your side of the story. This is normal in current judicial process. Paul did this when he was accused by the Jews before Felix, Festus and Agrippa (but used the occasions to testify to his faith in Christ).

Our Lord Jesus was accused of many things by the chief priests and elders, most vehemently and insistently. He remained silent. Pilate wondered if He had heard them!

But to Pilate also, Jesus “answered ... never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled”. He had the right to speak, to deny the false accusations, but He chose to be silent. Had He wished to, His word of power could have silenced them all, indeed destroyed them all, but no, “He opened not his mouth”.

Here was the Lamb of God, going to take away the sin of the world (John 1.29), unresisting, silently “led to the slaughter”, although in deep suffering of body and mind.

He would speak on the cross, praying for His enemies, giving hope to a criminal, caring for His mother, then crying loudly, “It is finished.” But He was completely silent before Pilate. What marvellous divine grace!

Thursday, 28 March, 2024