Enjoy Life, Enjoy God

SILENT

July 26, 2011

As a rule, we are a people who are quick to defend ourselves. We let no insult go unanswered.

Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?" But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.
                                                         - Mark 14:60,61 TNIV

Jesus is in a kangaroo court. The testimony against him is mostly lies and a conspiracy. What was Jesus' defense? Silence. How odd? Most of us would have fought back, at the very least we would state the truth and defend our honor. Instead, Jesus decides to only be defended in his father's eyes.

I'm not sure that makes it normative and an example for us to follow. But I am sure, that truth is not necessarily decided by majority vote or popular opinion. The majority opinion, the popular opinion, was that Jesus was guilty as sin. But... popular opinion was wrong. Even though Jesus lost the popularity polls oodles and oodles against Jesus' one! Maybe sometimes it would be better to be silent, than to be defending ourselves. "Silent and gave no answer."

Joyfully,

Dale Patterson