He Gave No Answer
The crowd took Jesus to the high priest. All of the chief
priests, the elders, and the teachers of the law came together.
Not
too far away, Peter followed Jesus. He went right into the courtyard of the
high priest. There he sat with the guards. He warmed himself at the fire.
The
chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for something to use against
Jesus. They wanted to put him to death. But they did not find any proof. Many
witnesses lied about him. But their stories did not agree.
Then
some stood up. They gave false witness about him. "We heard him say, 'I
will destroy this temple made by human hands. In three days I will build
another temple, not made by human hands.' " But what they said did not agree.
Then
the high priest stood up in front of them. He asked Jesus, "Aren't you
going to answer? What are these charges these men are bringing against
you?"
But
Jesus remained silent. He gave no answer.
Again
the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ? Are you the Son of the
Blessed One?"
"I
am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the
right hand of the Mighty One. You will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds
of heaven."
The
high priest tore his clothes. "Why do we need any more witnesses?" he
asked. "You have heard him say a very evil thing against God. What do you
think?"
They
all found him guilty and said he must die.
Then
some began to spit at him. They blindfolded him. They hit him with their fists.
They said, "Prophesy!" And the guards took him and beat him.
Mark 14:53-65
Sometimes
silence is the best response to a false charge. At other times we must speak
up.
A
pastor resigned from his church because a few members made untrue statements
about him. He thought it unchristian to defend himself, and in some instances
it is. But in this case, the troublemakers needed to be confronted and their false charges refuted. He should have urged them to repent
or face church discipline.
Saying
nothing may allow wrongdoers to go unchallenged in their evil ways. But if
God’s Spirit leads us to remain silent, or if we want merely to try to salvage
our wounded pride, then we should hold our tongue.
Are
you being falsely accused? If you discern that it is futile to argue, or if
your pride has been hurt, ask God for grace to say nothing. But if you feel
concern for the wrongdoers and want to see justice done, speak up!
Silence can be valuable; don’t break it unless you can improve
on it.
Our Daily Bread –