Matthew 27:11-26
11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
15 Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. 16 At that time they had a notorious prisoner called Jesus Barabbas. 17 So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18 For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over. 19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him.” 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. 21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” All of them said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 Then he asked, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”
24 So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” 25 Then the people as a whole answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 So he released Barabbas for them, and after flogging Jesus he handed him over to be crucified.
14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
As we prepare ourselves to follow Jesus from his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, through the upper room and Gethsemane, to the cross and, finally, on to the empty tomb, it’s important to remember that Jesus is exactly where he is supposed to be, doing exactly what he came into the world to do every step of the way.
When the high priest, and later Pontius Pilate, asks Jesus to justify his words and actions, he remains silent. When Pilate implores Jesus to say something that might prove his innocence, Jesus remains silent. That silence screams through the ages because it is the silence of a man who knows that everything is happening exactly as it was intended to be.
Remaining silent when those around us are trying to get us to affirm or condone things that are unconscionable is a powerful act of resistance. When Jesus refuses to make any attempt to justify himself, or to enter into the argument about whether what he has said and done is appropriate, he places himself securely in God’s hands. When we choose not to engage the insanity around us, we do the same.
Prayer: Lord Jesus: Thank you for showing us the power of remaining silent when any attempt to justify ourselves would place us in opposition to God’s perfect will. AMEN