In contrast to The Shouts, is His silence.
“He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth.”
Isaiah 53:7
As it was foretold in Isaiah, so it was.
The Lamb was silent.
“The high priest stood up and said to Him, ‘Do You make no answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?’ But Jesus kept silent.” Matthew 26:62-63
“And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He made no answer. Then Pilate said to Him, ‘Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?’ And He did not answer him with regard to even a single charge, so that the governor was quite amazed.” Matthew 27:12-14
Jesus came before Herod and “he questioned Him at some length, but without getting any reply.” Luke 23:9
Mocked, insulted, stripped, beaten, scourged, spat upon
—yet He remained silent.
Jesus . . . with torn, punctured skin . . .
blood caked with dirt on body
crowned halo of piercing spikes
beaten, spent body taking wooden beams upon wearied shoulders
human frailty failing, struggling up Hill
pushed, thrown, tied, nailed, lifted up, falling, until jolted into place
continued mocking, casting of lots, offer of vinegar
pierced side, flowing blood.
Silence
The only exceptions. . .
to show compassion for a thief
concern for a mother
to call upon God—“Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?”
(My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?)
and final cry—"It is finished!"
Jesus made His last appeal for relief His final night of freedom. Before the shouts of the people had turned from those of “hosanna” to “crucify”, He met with God in the garden. With excruciating emotion, Jesus sought for a change in plans. Asking “if it is possible, let this cup pass me by. Nevertheless, let it be as you, not I, would have it.” (Matthew 26:39)
Three times He asked. Three times He stated “Thy will be done”.
No change was made.
The Father’s will remained.
The Son’s sacrifice complete
—willfully and silently for there were no more words to be offered.
No requests, appeals or defense on His behalf.
He sacrificed Himself to His Father, for us, in silence.
My words, my heart desires to be lifted up to Him sacrificially. I trust that the will of God for my life is “good and well-pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2)
But oh, how I can whine and complain.
I struggle to hold on to my rights.
Jesus did not resist the will of the Father. He surrendered to it. (John 6:38)
To be like Jesus.
To surrender to humility, meekness, gentleness and kindness.
To remain silent and allow brokenness to come.
To trust Him enough to rest quietly in the midst of any storm.
To not pick up offense when unjustly treated.
That is what God desires.
That is what Jesus exampled.
That is why brokenness is necessary.
That is what Jesus exampled.
That is why brokenness is necessary.
Silence is not the way of the world. It is the way of the Lamb.
1 Peter 2:20-24
For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.
So grateful, beyond words, for this Easter season. For the Spirit directing my attention to the shouts of the people. For eyes opened to the silence of the Lamb. Heart is illumined, desiring not only this awareness of these truths but change as a result. Small snippets of revelation. Thank you, Father God, for these irreplaceable encounters with You! Amen...
{edited from the archives, as I spend my week quiet with Jesus}
Get blog updates to your inbox or news reader by clicking here...
