The Power of Silence
And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. 'And Pilate asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" And he answered him, "You have said so." And the chief priests accused him on many things. And Pilate again asked him, "Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you." But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed. -Mark 15:1-5
This year has brought many things to light. One of the main things is disunity. For the last several years no one wanted to offend anyone. Many would think before speaking or posting so that uncomfortable topics wouldn't need to be addressed. But, today is a different story. Today everyone has an opinion on what is going on in the world and everyone thinks that those opinions need to be heard. Neither one is necessarily a bad thing, but each one can quickly escalate to an unhealthy level. There are many topics today that the Church needs to be vocal on. We need to stand up for righteousness and justice. We need to stand united. We need to be bold even when the world gets offended by what we believe. Yet, at the same time we do not need to constantly talk, provoke, and defend ourselves. Not everything we think about needs to be shared, posted or retweeted. It's very common these days to feel this constant need to defend. Defend what we believe. Defend what we know. Defend what people are saying about ourselves, our family, our friends, the Church. Did you know that being silent is okay sometimes? Did you know God can actually get glory when we're silent?
How do we know when to be bold as lions or to be silent? The key is knowing the voice of the Holy Spirit. In Mark 15: 1-5 Jesus was delivered over to His enemy. He was being questioned and charged with horrible things. He could have presented them His case on why He was innocent. He could have defended Himself. He could have wowed them with a miracle. Jesus, the Son of God, could have walked right out of there. Yet, He didn't. He knew the sacrifice and the pain that awaited Him and prayed that God's will would be done anyway. He walked out the process because He knew that God's plan was in motion. In silence, He confidently stood before Pilate trusting that God would use it for His glory. It was Jesus' silence that left Pilate in awe, amazed, shocked, perplexed, and which ultimately gave God glory. Jesus knew exactly who He was. Yet, He felt no need to defend Himself or defend His Father. It wasn't the time to be vocal to prove His power. It was the time for Him to rest in knowing His identity as the Son of God, the King of Kings. Sometimes boldness is knowing when to be silent in the presence of the accuser.
As you go throughout your week think about what you're talking about, thinking about, posting about, and sharing with those around you. Ask the Holy Spirit when you're suppose to stand up and proclaim the truth. Ask the Holy Spirit when you're suppose to simply remain silent. He is your defender and there is power in your silence when He's leading you there. Spend time this week listening to His voice so that you know which way is going to give God glory. You don't need to fight battles that God's not calling you to. God is working in and through you. He has a plan. Will you surrender your emotions and desires to seek Him? Will you lay down your urge to confront every issue and follow Him only where He's leading you? God is using your life for His glory. Seek Him in everything you do and He will be glorified. May your heart be at rest, filled with joy, and overflowing with peace as you follow Jesus this week.
