Reflecting on Matthew 57-67
“But Jesus remained silent.” (Matthew 26:63)
As a Jesus follower, I want to learn the wisdom of silence.
Not always, but knowing when it is wise to remain silent.
There is “a time to be silent and a time to speak.” (Ecclesiastes 3:7)
When someone is criticizing or challenging me, I should pause.
Do they really want to talk about it, or are their minds made up?
Have they already made their conclusions, and just attacking you?
The religious leaders were seeking ammunition, not understanding.
This is a situation where silence is wiser.
I know for myself that I am quick to defend myself.
Self-defensiveness triggers my mouth, but not always my mind.
In response I look for reasons to accuse them back.
I want to bring them down, put their arguments to death.
I may also challenge their character, to belittle them.
Another problem is that I may not be hearing them properly.
If I only hear criticism, I may miss their valid concerns.
Or I may fail to see the real issue behind their attack.
Something else may be going on in them that needs attention.
Or maybe the Spirit of Jesus is speaking through them.
Can I learn something from this situation?
About them, about me, about God, about my calling?
Remaining silent to pray and ponder can help me discern.
We do not always need to remain silent; Jesus does speak.
There are times when we need to speak clearly, prophetically.
But the wisdom of Jesus calls for prayerful discernment.
If we speak from a calm, quiet place, we will speak more wisely.
We may diffuse the situation, or we may expose their duplicity.
Or we may frustrate them and only agitate them more.
But at least we are guarding our integrity through this.
Remember also, it is not our words that change peoples’ hearts.
Leave room for the Spirit of Jesus to work, and pray for that.
Jesus promises that the Spirit will speak through us.
Through our words when helpful, but even through our silence.
Today I will pay attention to my conversations.
I will seek to center myself in a calm, quiet place with Jesus.
And I will seek to discern… is this a time to speak?
Or is this a time to humbly, wisely, remain silent.
Lord Jesus, strengthen my inner calm and quietness in You, so that I am able to discern the wisdom for the moment, whether to speak or remain silent. Help me to trust that You are speaking through me, and will work in their hearts, whether I use my words or not.
And help me not to use my words to judge, demean or hurt others; rather to win them to You, or help them experience Your love.