As soon as it was day, the elders of the people, chief priests, and scribes assembled, and he was brought before their Council.

Luke 22:66

 

 

55 Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none. 56 For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony did not agree. 57 Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying, 58“We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.’ ” 59 But even on this point their testimony did not agree. 60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?” 61 But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”

Mark 14:55-61

 

Also in Matthew 26:59-63.

Response:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This silence is very impressive, Lord.

 

Harshly dealt with, he bore it humbly; he never opened his mouth.

 

You just stand there,

Like a sheep that is dumb before its shears it’s very impressive.

 

It’s so natural to want to explain, to want to be understood, to try to justify oneself.

but    you don’t, Lord… you don’t need to, do you?

 

This silence is very impressive.

 

We could learn from your silence.

 

Sometimes we speak

when it would be better to stay quiet. Sometimes we say things

that would be better left unsaid. Sometimes we say things we regret afterwards,

 

and sometimes we keep quiet when it would be better to speak out.

 

Lord, teach us when to be quiet,

 

and how to be quiet,

 

and when we speak, Lord, teach us how to speak in love, to speak only in love.

 

Response:

• Saved: Church, Lent