“then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor”. Matthew 27 V 13-14
Have you ever been accused of something that you know is not true? Ever had someone who is out for their own gain spreading rumours about you? What about someone trying to destroy your reputation?
In these moments it is tempting to speak up against opposition and to call out the lies. We want to prove a point, to let everyone know that we are innocent. We want to protect our reputation. By the time Jesus arrives at Pontius Pilate’s door, He has been accused of blasphemy by the Pharisees. Jesus has shown their true colours; that they are selfish and out for their own gain, whilst He has shown grace and love. The plan to kill Him has now been set in motion. Jesus has been arrested, ridiculed, and beaten. His closest friends, the disciples have deserted Him, and here He stands in front of Pilate surrounded by false accusations and false witnesses. But Jesus does nothing to respond. He remains silent. This is known as holding your peace. He resists the urge to defend himself and his reputation. Why? Jesus was looking ahead to the very reason He had been sent. His focus was on the purpose for which He had come. To voluntarily die on the Cross in our place so that you and I might live! Isaiah 53 prophesies this moment: “He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth”. Philippians 2 tells us that “He made himself nothing…He humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross”.
Here stood the Righteous One, the only one who had any right to defend himself. Here stood perfection personified choosing not to protest His innocence, because He knew He was destined to be exalted in God’s timing. Jesus knew He would be raised from the dead and would then draw all people to himself. Jesus was fixed on what God had called him for, and He knew that in time He would be exalted. He knew that the plan of God was greater than defending himself before the crowd. Because of Jesus’ humility and his obedience, He made a way that we can be united with God forever. It is because of his great love for you that He chose to hold His peace. His final destination was not ridicule and accusation. His final destination was to secure your salvation.
Know today that God has a plan and a purpose for your life. When opposition stands in the way, remember the example of Jesus who relied on what his Father said about Him and not the testimony brought against Him. He did not need to respond to prove his innocence, because He knew his identity. Remember that it is the Lord who has the final word, and He will exalt you in time. In the book of Exodus when the Israelites left Egypt, the Egyptians pursued them and were intent on destroying the people of God. With only the Red Sea in front of them, they had nowhere to go and were trapped. Moses responds to the people by saying ‘The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.’ And in the rest of the story, God makes a way for his people across the sea.
Remind yourself today that God has the final word. Fix your eyes on what you have been called for and not on the opinions of others. God himself fights for you. He will exalt you in due time to accomplish the purpose for which you were created. Be still and hold your peace.
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Easter Series – Exchange Church Belfast 2021