Reflecting on Mark 14:53-65
"But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer." (Mark 14:61)Some people see winning a debate as a sign of strength.
Sometimes wisdom does have a way of making its point hit home.
But other times wisdom is seen more in its silence.
One of the proverbs captures this tension well:
“Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.
Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.” (Proverbs 26:4-5)
Jesus is being targeted, baited for condemnation; it would be unwise to argue.
They were looking for evidence to kill Him, nothing He would say would help.
Actually His silence was agitating for them, it deprived them of ammunition.
Which is why they needed false testimony, any word that would help them.
In this moment, silence seems to be the wisest response.
In a few moments He will speak (vv.61-62), and it will feed their fury.
But here at this moment, and at others times, Jesus did not speak.
And this is what I am sensing is the wisdom we need more of today.
There seems to be a lot of opinions and judgments going around.
Not only does everyone have an opinion about everything, they gladly share it.
People post their opinions on social media, people comment on news events.
People leave sharp and cruel comments on other peoples’ opinions.
Many speak as if they have a God’s-eye view of things.
Politics, ethics, religion, economics, family and marriage advice.
The noise of human opinion is flooding the airwaves.
And in the noise, they do not hear God’s still small voice.
“Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.” (Job 42:3)
“Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.” (Ecclesiastes 5:2)
“The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone?” (Ecclesiastes 6:11)
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” (James 1:19-20)
I don’t pretend to have the wisdom to know when to speak, and when not to.
And my sermons show I do not have the wisdom to keep my words few.
But more and more I feel that I should just keep my mouth shut.
People are not looking for wisdom, they are looking for affirmation.
They want you to agree with them, or they want to shoot you down.
When I have responded with my words, they became defensive or accusatory.
I want to learn the fruit of the Spirit self-control of my mouth.
I want to practice it more than preach it.
To love with my actions, and not just with my words.
Jesus was not the word made flesh because He spoke so much.
It was because His life, His words and His actions all united as one.
May the Lord bless us with a Holy Spirit revival of silence.
With the spiritual gift of keeping a tight rein on our tongues.
And with the Holy Spirit fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc.
Maybe I can help trigger this revival by choosing to be silent for a while.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, You are calling us to be still and know that God is God, not us. That only God sees and knows the whole truth, not us. Teach is the wisdom of being silent, and letting our lives show Your true and living Way.