Day 18 :: The Sound of Silence
“Now Jesus stood before the governor. ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ the governor asked him. Jesus answered, ‘You say so.’ While he was being accused by the chief priests and elders, he didn’t answer.”
Matthew 27:11-12
Having 4 children, I’m well acquainted with the statements that are made after one of my children accuses another one of my children of a wrong doing. Of all these times, I have yet to see the accused stand silent without some sort of excuse… well, until it’s time to apologize that is.
In much different circumstances, there Jesus stood before the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate, having all sorts of accusations thrown at him by the Jewish leaders who want Jesus to die. The leaders couldn’t kill Jesus themselves as it was against Roman law. They would do anything to get rid of the guy that was exposing their hypocrisy and showing the people a way that led to true hope, so they asked Pilate to get rid of him.
Pilate is stuck in a hard place. He knows Jesus is innocent but doesn’t exactly want a riot on his hands either. He knows that Jesus has really stirred up these Jewish leaders, so he asks him a simple question:
“Are you the King of the Jews?” (v11)
Pilate had heard the testimony and wanted to hear it straight from Jesus’ mouth. In one of the rare times Jesus actually answered, he made it short, concise and to the point:
“You say so.” (v11)
Was he actually the King of the Jews? Yep, and way more actually. He was the guiltless, sovereign King who would one day rule and judge the world- including the ones that were falsely judging him. He was the Son of God! This claim was not a surprise…in fact it was Jesus himself who admitted to being the Son of God in front of the Jewish leaders just hours before (Matt. 26:63-64).
So now is the time for Jesus to show Himself, right? Now is the time for Jesus, the one who amazed the crowds with his truth and reason- the one who showed such compassion on the poor and helpless by making and providing a defence for them- the one who was guiltless of all to finally stand up for himself and show that these leaders were wrong - right?
“…he didn’t answer…” (v14)
All that was heard was the sound of silence. And what a sound it was. He said nothing. Why didn’t he answer?!
First, Jesus knew that their unjust accusations were designed as a trap, and they were not truly seeking the truth. By not answering, he proved that these claims were so ridiculous they did not deserve an answer. Pilate knew this too. He would have seen countless cases of people pleading for their lives and yet this time, he stood amazed at the silence of this guiltless man.
Second, Jesus could have easily defended his innocence but chose not to. He had demonstrated many times before he had the wisdom to outwit these religious leaders. But He came to suffer.
“He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers he did not open his mouth.”
(Isaiah 53:7)
His silence not only fulfilled this prophesy, it also proved that he was the King who suffered for his people. His silence may have led to his death, but also to his victory.
If we were tried for wrongs we have committed right now, we wouldn’t stand a chance, and unlike Jesus, the claims against us would be true! How do we respond to our sin? Do we launch into a line of useless defences and excuses? Or do we stay silent before God, acting like we have done nothing wrong when the right response is our confession before a God who absolutely knows us?
“If anyone does sin, we have one who speaks to the father in our defence- Jesus Christ the Righteous One”
(1 John 2:1 NIV)
Jesus was led down this road of suffering and death to save us from the condemnation we deserve. If we confess our sin and trust in God now, we will be able to stand silently before a holy God without fear, knowing that the punishment we deserved was taken on by Jesus. When Satan, our Accuser, presents the evidence of our sin, then our Defender, King Jesus, will give that defence for us as he shows his nail pierced hands and feet to the Father. What an amazing day that will be!
Passages to read: Matthew 27:11-14, Mark 15:1-5
A thought to remember: Jesus stood silent at his own trial, but will defend me at mine
A question to ask: Am I staying silent before my God instead of confessing my sin regularly to Him?
A song to sing: We Long For That Day