He answered Him to never a word.
Matthew 27:14
He had never been slow of speech when he could bless the sons of men, but he would not say a single word for himself. “Never man spake like this man,” and never man was silent like him.
Was this singular silence the index of his perfect self-sacrifice?
Did it show that he would not utter a word to stay the slaughter of his sacred person, which he had dedicated as an offering for us?
Had he so entirely surrendered himself that he would not interfere in his own behalf, even in the minutest degree, but be bound and slain an unstruggling, uncomplaining victim?
Was this silence a type of the defenselessness of sin?
Nothing can be said in palliation or excuse of human guilt; and, therefore, he who bore its whole weight stood speechless before his judge. Is not patient silence the best reply to a gainsaying world?
Calm endurance answers some questions infinitely more conclusively than the loftiest eloquence. The best apologists for Christianity in the early days were its martyrs. The anvil breaks a host of hammers by quietly bearing their blows. Did not the silent Lamb of God furnish us with a grand example of wisdom?
Where every word was occasion for new blasphemy, it was the line of duty to afford no fuel for the flame of sin. The ambiguous and the false, the unworthy and mean, will ere long overthrow and confute themselves, and therefore the true can afford to be quiet, and finds silence to be its wisdom.
Evidently our Lord, by his silence, furnished a remarkable fulfilment of prophecy. A long defence of himself would have been contrary to Isaiah’s prediction: “He is led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.” By his quiet he conclusively proved himself to be the true Lamb of God. As such we salute him this morning.
Be with us, Jesus, and in the silence of our heart, let us hear the voice of thy love
My Pondering
As I write this, we head into Easter as tomorrow is Good Friday. There is nothing “good” about Good Friday—except what comes after. Resurrection Sunday is what makes it good for those who have placed their trust in Jesus.
Consider the humility, meekness, and mission-mindedness of our Lord. As He was falsely accused and led to death—not for His sins, but for ours—He remained silent. Almighty God, fully able to speak, defend, or destroy… chose restraint.
What power is found in that kind of submission.
What obedience is seen in that kind of surrender.
The Bible teaches there is a time and place for everything. This was the time for silence, just as it was prophesied of the Lamb of God. But make no mistake—this is not the end of the story.
When He returns, He will not be silent.
He will come as the Lion, not the Lamb.
And a sword will proceed from His mouth.
So I ask you to truly consider this silence.
It is almost unfathomable that the God of everything would become a willing sacrifice.
If you have already placed your trust in Jesus, let this deepen your humility and gratitude.
If you have not—then hear this clearly:
You cannot save yourself.
But He already made a way.
Why not surrender… today?