Mark 15:1-15 - Silence!

Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate.

 

Then Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered and said to him, “It is as you say.”

 

And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing.

 

Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, “Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!”

 

But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled.

 

Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested.

 

And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion.

 

Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them.

 

But Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”

 

For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.

 

But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them.

 

Pilate answered and said to them again, “What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?”

 

So they cried out again, “Crucify Him!”

 

Then Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, “Crucify Him!”

 

So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified.

Shh... by ~KamiKiri8246 on deviantART 

Jesus stood in silence.  He was on trial for His life and the chief priests accused Him of many things but He remained silent. The chief priest said slanderous things, false things and said He was worthy of death, not only for the sake of Israel but also for the sake of Rome.  He was, in the view of the chief priests and of the crowd, worse than a murderer for they clamored for clemency for Barabbas, a killer and an insurrectionist, but wanted the death penalty for Jesus, the Prince of Peace.  Jesus offered no defense. He left Himself into the Will of God.

Sometimes our silence speaks loudest of all.  Are people gossiping? Are they speaking ill of others behind their backs when they dare not speak to their faces? Maybe, our silence- that is, by simply walking away from the circle of gossip- maybe, that would speak more than if we openly rebuked all in the group.  Jesus could have defended Himself before Pilate, and, in His wisdom and by His Words, won His own Freedom. But Jesus' silence was a rebuke to all who accused Him.

Lord, help me to know when I should should remain silent and when I should speak up.  And may my actions always speak louder than any words out of my mouth.  Amen.