Matthew 26:59-63a
Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’” The high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?” But Jesus was silent.
Sometimes silence is the best answer.
The story Matthew tells is growing darker and more tense. Jesus has been arrested and is now on trial. Except that there are no true witnesses to what he has done wrong. Or, as Matthew undoubtedly is implying, because Jesus has done no wrong his opponents can find no true witnesses. And so they bring false ones.
I suppose Jesus could have countered the accusations or protested his innocence. But instead he remains silent. Perhaps this is simply because he has resigned himself to his fate or knows that all things are out of his hands. Perhaps.
But I think it more likely that Jesus refuses to answer because he refuses to be pulled into the drama others are creating around him. He has his own drama – his own passion – to play, and it does not involve plots and schemes and false accusations but rather is dominated by trust and courage and obedience.
Jesus is silent, I think, because to speak now would be to dignify his accusers with an answer, to participate in the mock trial they have staged. And so Jesus remains silent, content in his trust in God that this – even this – will work for the good of all in the hands of a loving God.
There are times to not remain silent – to protest injustice and lift our voices in despair or defense. But this is not one of them. For Jesus is not some tragic figure caught up merely in an unjust trial. He is God’s Son, the one who embraces death to show us that death does not have the last word. And in his willing silence he identifies with all those who have had to suffer silently, offering them the dignity he was denied.
There are times to speak and to cry and to sing…and there are times to be silent. And this is one of them.
Prayer: Dear God, let us see in the silent courage and suffering of your Son your love poured out for all people, especially those who have little voice in the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Post image: Mattias Stom, “Christ Before Caiaphas,” (c. 1630)
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