February 20, 2023

Matthew 27: 12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. (NIV)

The silence of the Lamb of God still speaks volumes.*

Jesus’ accusers had never heard of the “Miranda Warning,” but Jesus knew that anything he said could and would be used against him in a court of law - although what he faced could hardly be described as legal proceedings. There was no evidence presented, no testimony by sworn witnesses, no justice, and no mercy.  And he was not there to entertain the crowd. He was there to fulfill prophecy and to accomplish his mission.

Jesus wasn’t always silent. When he spoke, people listened and were amazed. His words transformed lives and changed the world. The temple guards who were sent to capture him came away empty-handed, declaring, “No one ever spoke the way this man does.” (John 7: 46) But when there was nothing to be said, he said nothing.

I doubt if any of us could have controlled the urge to defend ourselves against such vicious and false accusations. I’m not even sure if there is a lesson in this for us. Very few – if any – of my readers will ever face a situation at all similar to this one, so we won’t need his example of stoicism to carry us through such an ordeal. What’s important is that we remember that he did face it, how he faced it, and why. He did it because someone had to pay the price for our sins and he was the only one who could stand before his accusers in complete innocence. He is the Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth. What else could he have said?

Jesus wasn’t silent because he had no answer. Jesus was silent because he was their answer.*