The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life. But violence overwhelms the
mouth of the wicked. ~Proverbs 10:11
If a wise man goes to court with a fool, the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace. Bloodthirsty men hate a man of integrity and seek to kill the upright. A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control. ~Proverbs 29:9-11
Surely, He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered Him stricken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed. 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. ~Isaiah 53:4-5-&-7-8
Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head. They clothed Him in a purple robe and went up to Him again and again, saying, “Hail King of the Jews!” And they struck Him in the face. Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews, “Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against Him.” When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man.” As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” ~John 19:1-6
On this first Sunday of Lent, it is good to ask the question: “Why did Jesus stay silent?” He was in the right. Certainly, if He had opened His mouth, He would have been the “fount of righteousness that brings life.” This night, He stayed silent, holding His pearls for another day.
Jesus knew that the real mocker here is satan himself. The religious leaders, and Pilate, they are simply pawns, spouting the taunts and lies of satan. Jesus knew that He would be wasting His breath. Was satan hoping Jesus would beg? Perhaps. I’m sure that satan thought that he had won, that Jesus was cornered and all that love was going to be seen as worthless in the stress of the moment.
Jesus, however, again couldn’t be tempted. Satan had failed in the wilderness, he had failed in the garden and now, Jesus, knowing who He is and knowing who is really in control, held His pearls of wisdom and stayed silent. And so, satan failed in the courtroom.
We will never be in a situation as intense as the one on display today, where what is at stake is life itself for those Christ loved. We sometimes find ourselves in difficult situations where we feel the pressure to defend ourselves and perhaps, there are times we should. How will we know the difference? This may not always be the case, but I have to think that when you know that you are in a situation in which you are being accused falsely, for the pleasure of the accuser, tread carefully. If you speak, you may be providing the sport your accuser is looking for.
I’m remembering Andrew Brunson here, who knew he was being mocked, but took the opportunity he was given to defend himself publicly, to proclaim the gospel, fluently, in the Turkish language, for others and to encourage the Church in Turkey. He spent much time in prayer, while in prison, to know what to say in public. Prayer, again, is the key. God told Andrew to speak, but Jesus stayed silent, again, for a greater good, our salvation.
Just as Jesus placed His trust in His Father in heaven, perhaps there are times we need to follow His example and trust that we are involved in a greater story than what we see in front of us. We do not always need to defend ourselves but trust our defense to the One who loves us and has promised that He will make all things right in the end. Whether to speak or stay silent, God will show us what to do as long as we do not stay silent out of fear or speak in foolish pride. Be in prayer for God’s Will in the matter.
Prayer: Father we pray today for wisdom to know when to speak and what to say, and wisdom to know when it is better to humbly submit ourselves to Your loving care and let You work things out as we keep quiet about what is bothering us. When we are not speaking to people, we can always speak with You in prayer. You never misunderstand and never take advantage. Thank You Lord. In Jesus' name, amen.
Song: Speak, O Lord
If a wise man goes to court with a fool, the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace. Bloodthirsty men hate a man of integrity and seek to kill the upright. A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control. ~Proverbs 29:9-11
Surely, He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered Him stricken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed. 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. ~Isaiah 53:4-5-&-7-8
Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head. They clothed Him in a purple robe and went up to Him again and again, saying, “Hail King of the Jews!” And they struck Him in the face. Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews, “Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against Him.” When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man.” As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” ~John 19:1-6
On this first Sunday of Lent, it is good to ask the question: “Why did Jesus stay silent?” He was in the right. Certainly, if He had opened His mouth, He would have been the “fount of righteousness that brings life.” This night, He stayed silent, holding His pearls for another day.
Jesus knew that the real mocker here is satan himself. The religious leaders, and Pilate, they are simply pawns, spouting the taunts and lies of satan. Jesus knew that He would be wasting His breath. Was satan hoping Jesus would beg? Perhaps. I’m sure that satan thought that he had won, that Jesus was cornered and all that love was going to be seen as worthless in the stress of the moment.
Jesus, however, again couldn’t be tempted. Satan had failed in the wilderness, he had failed in the garden and now, Jesus, knowing who He is and knowing who is really in control, held His pearls of wisdom and stayed silent. And so, satan failed in the courtroom.
We will never be in a situation as intense as the one on display today, where what is at stake is life itself for those Christ loved. We sometimes find ourselves in difficult situations where we feel the pressure to defend ourselves and perhaps, there are times we should. How will we know the difference? This may not always be the case, but I have to think that when you know that you are in a situation in which you are being accused falsely, for the pleasure of the accuser, tread carefully. If you speak, you may be providing the sport your accuser is looking for.
I’m remembering Andrew Brunson here, who knew he was being mocked, but took the opportunity he was given to defend himself publicly, to proclaim the gospel, fluently, in the Turkish language, for others and to encourage the Church in Turkey. He spent much time in prayer, while in prison, to know what to say in public. Prayer, again, is the key. God told Andrew to speak, but Jesus stayed silent, again, for a greater good, our salvation.
Just as Jesus placed His trust in His Father in heaven, perhaps there are times we need to follow His example and trust that we are involved in a greater story than what we see in front of us. We do not always need to defend ourselves but trust our defense to the One who loves us and has promised that He will make all things right in the end. Whether to speak or stay silent, God will show us what to do as long as we do not stay silent out of fear or speak in foolish pride. Be in prayer for God’s Will in the matter.
Prayer: Father we pray today for wisdom to know when to speak and what to say, and wisdom to know when it is better to humbly submit ourselves to Your loving care and let You work things out as we keep quiet about what is bothering us. When we are not speaking to people, we can always speak with You in prayer. You never misunderstand and never take advantage. Thank You Lord. In Jesus' name, amen.
Song: Speak, O Lord
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