By: Lisa Wilmore
Scripture Reading: And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate. And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto them, thou sayest it. And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing. And Pilate asked him again, saying, answerest thou nothing? Behold how many things they witness against thee. But Jesus yet answered nothing… (Mark 15: 1-5a).
My Dear Friends,
It is an honor to share with you this heartfelt message on today. It has been both a delight and adventure while studying and examining the gospel truth according to Mark. Today’s message places emphasis on Mark’s written discourse of Jesus’ trial. The thought and question that comes to my mind is, Jesus did not respond to the accusations, even in his own defense. Why not?
In fact, Pilate, the Roman governor, asked him “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of” (Mark 15:4b). But Jesus still did not respond.
Have you tried to plead your case when you have been falsely accused? Are you guilty of chasing rumors to protect your character? Well, let’s examine how Jesus conducted himself which brings clarity and understanding to help us when faced with accusations and rumors.
In the aforementioned scriptures, Mark describes the communication or should I say lack of communication in Jesus’ trial before Pilate, the Roman Governor of Judea. The gospel writers depict Pilate as hesitant to crucify Jesus. In addition, they affirm that Jesus is not guilty. Luke records Pilate saying, “What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty (Luke 23:22 NIV).
It would have been useless and pointless for Jesus to try to defend himself. He was at the appointed place, at the appointed time. At this moment of his life, scripture was being fulfilled. Specifically, Isaiah 53:7 which states, “He was oppressed and he was afflicted, Yet he opened not his mouth;…”Jesus’ moment arrives and when not saying a mumbling word is the appropriate response.
Perhaps, you are facing fabricated gossip and rumors. However, saying nothing may be the appropriate response. My friends, the more you try to curtail and chase rumors, the worse they become. Allow God to do what he does in making the truth be known.
