The silences of Jesus in front of his judges

"There is ... a time to be silent, and a time to speak." Ecclesiastes 3: 7

The words of Jesus during the three and a half years of his ministry are numerous. Words of grace and power, words that are spirit and life, truly "words of God" (John 3: 34-8, 47). The silences of Jesus are all the more impressive! The Spirit of God specially signals them during his trial. It is not that he will say nothing from one end to the other, but at times he will remain silent.

First brought before Anne and her son-in-law Caiaphas, the high priest, Jesus testifies : "I have spoken openly to the world" (John 18:20). At his first appearance before Pilate, he still testifies to the truth : "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36).

Then the chief priests, the elders, and the Sanhedrim produce false witnesses, the high priest stood up and said to Jesus : "Do not you answer anything about the accusations they are making against you ?" (Matt 26. 63).

Before Pilate, the chief priests and elders continue to accuse him. Then Pilate questioned him : "Do not you hear all these testimonies that they bear against you ? But Jesus answered him not even a single word "(Matthew 27:13, 14).

Pilate returns Jesus to Herod, who questions him at length, "but Jesus answered nothing" (Luke 23: 6-10).

Jesus was accused by the Jews of claiming to be the Son of God. Pilate asks him: "Where are you from ? But Jesus did not give him an answer" (John 19: 9). To Pilate to pronounce on the question : Is Jesus the Son of God or not ? Even today, everyone has to answer this question ! The next moment, on the other hand, Jesus speaks so as not to let Pilate believe that he has control over events.

What humility in the silences of Jesus ! The Creator agrees to be the "silent sheep" (Isa.53: 7), to be "as a dumb man ... as a man in whose mouth there is no reply" (Psalm 38: 13, 14).

What wisdom also in his silences ! The time to testify had passed, "the time to be silent" had come.

Let us also have this wisdom to discern the times of silence and the time to speak !

Source (To pleasing the Lord)